The new lawyer for a man accused of sending explosives to multiple locations says his client will be pleading not guilty.

Winnipeg defence attorney Martin Glazer confirmed Thursday he had taken on Guido Amsel as a client. His confirmation came the same day police announced a slew of new charges against Amsel, who is accused of trying to vanquish his enemies — his ex-wife, her lawyer, and his lawyer — with mail bombs. One detonated in the law offices of Petersen King, seriously injuring Maria Mitousis, who represented Amsel’s ex-wife in multiple court case.

“Mr. Amsel remarried 10 years ago. He is a devoted husband and loving father,” Glazer said, in an email. “He denies these allegations which remain unproven and untested. There is no confession and in fact Mr. Amsel denies the accusations made against him.

“Based on the information received so far, the police have no direct evidence against him. The case appears to be built on assumptions and circumstantial evidence that has an innocent explanation.

“Mr. Amsel has no criminal record, is 49 years old, a taxpayer and successful businessman with an excellent reputation in the community with the people he has serviced in his business. Mr. Amsel has instructed me that he will be pleading not guilty. I intend to provide a vigorous defence in accordance with his instructions.”

Earlier in the day, Winnipeg police announced the added charges — including one for attempted murder — for Amsel at a press conference.

Amsel was already facing two counts of attempted murder and multiple explosive-related charges.

In addition to the third attempted murder charge, police announced Amsel is also facing a count of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, causing an explosive substance to explode with intent to cause bodily harm, unlawful possession of explosives, and illegally storing a firearm or restricted weapon.

Police said they seized a loaded rifle and ammunition during a search of Amsel’s Pandora Avenue home on July 6.

“There is a ton of investigation that goes on in the background before charges are laid,” Winnipeg police Const. Eric Hofley said, in addressing why it took nearly three weeks for further charges to be laid.

Hofley said the investigation is closed, as it relates to the three explosive devices found at Jackson King on July 3, at a business on Washington Avenue the next day and, a day after that, another law firm on Stradbrook Avenue.

“I believe investigators have exhausted all avenues and the charges that Mr. Amsel faces are the ones that Mr. Amsel will continue to face,” Hofley said. “That’s not to say that further information might come to light down the line, which would require investigators to make further charges. But, at the time it’s my understanding that the investigation is complete.”

Full statement from Martin Glazer:

As lawyers we stand on guard to protect the constitutional rights of all people, regardless of what they may be accused of. Mr. Guido Amsel has the same rights as anyone else charged with a crime.

He has the right to a lawyer of his choice and the right to a fair trial.

Mr. Amsel’s case will be decided in court, not by the media.

Informed members of the public understand and respect the law which guarantees Mr. Amsel’s rights and cloaks him with the presumption of innocence.

Mr. Amsel remarried ten years ago. He is a devoted husband and loving father.

He denies these allegations which remain unproven and untested.

There is no confession and in fact Mr. Amsel denies the accusations made against him.

Based on the information received so far the police have no direct evidence against him.

The case appears to be built on assumptions and circumstantial evidence that has an innocent explanation.

Mr. Amsel has no criminal record, is 49 years old, a taxpayer and successful businessman with an excellent reputation in the community with the people he has serviced in his business.

Mr. Amsel has instructed me that he will be pleading not guilty. I intend to provide a vigorous defence in accordance with his instructions.

david.larkins@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @LarkinsWSun