These are horrific charges, but the media and community reaction had him convicted long before the trial began.

I'll agree, they're horrible charges, but the media had him convicted before the trial started. The community as a whole has built up this idea that Joe molested these children.

I have never forgotten the people and community that helped me. I happen to live in a very heartfelt community.

I'm very obviously disappointed by the verdict, but more importantly, and I'd be quite candid, I'm disappointed that my client was tried in the sense of the public media, long before this case ever started on March 20. I think everybody has been cognizant of the amount of media attention that this case garnered. (The jury) are people. They are people like you, they are people like me. We're all going to be influenced to some extent by peer pressure. And I think that some of that has bearing in this case. ... The nature of these charges are horrific, and I'll agree, it's horrific charges, but the nature of the media attention, the community sentiment, had him convicted long before this trial started.

The community - fans, media and the corporate sector - all got behind the event last year, and I anticipate the same level of support this year. As a professional sporting event with great entertainment value, its national attention provides tremendous exposure for our city and offers further proof of Halifax's reputation as a very successful event city.

The community ? fans, media and the corporate sector ? all got behind the event last year, and I anticipate the same level of support this year.