Tecumseh-based horse trainer Derek Riesberry was found not guilty of fraud and cheating at play by Ontario Superior Court Justice Steve Rogin Thursday in the first criminal trial in Canada for alleged horse doping.
Riesberry was facing two counts of fraud and two counts of cheating at play. Two other charges of contravening pari-mutuel regulations that were laid when Riesberry was arrested Nov. 7, 2010 had previously been withdrawn.
“Obviously, he is relieved,” said Riesberry’s defence lawyer Andrew Bradie. ‘It’s been a burden for three, long years for him.”
A beaming Riesberry looked a man with the weight of the world lifted off his shoulders in quickly leaving the courthouse without commenting  after a brief post-decision meeting with Bradie.
The trial was precedent setting as it was a break from the usual path taken in the sport where alleged breaches have traditionally been dealt with as licence infractions at regulatory tribunals.
Riesberry had been arrested nearly three years ago after entering Windsor Raceway with syringes filled with Epinephrine, Clenbuterol and Clotol.
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