More video evidence pertaining to accused Mary Voss has been presented at the Keith Hobbs extortion trial as one of the crown’s key witnesses remained on the stand
The over four-hour interview between OPP Detective Inspector Martin Graham and accused Mary Voss contained crying and sad admissions from Voss. She explained to the police officer over and over that she felt she did nothing wrong and that she trusted the Hobbses and felt they were her friends. Graham throughout the lengthy interview suggested to her that Marisa Hobbs was not her friend and that she only cared about money.
Voss: “I don’t see why they would do that, to get me in trouble? Why?”
Graham: “They used you.”
Voss: “Maybe they did. Why did they do that to me? I didn’t even know them that well.”
Graham: “Marisa doesn’t do anything unless there is money. She was hurting for money. Did they ever talk to you about money? Did they ever say you could give them a loan from the house you were to get?”
Voss: “No, they didn’t. I don’t know. Oh, God. In my own head, I was wondering why they were asking me to get a house.”
Voss broke down crying in the interview with the OPP Detective Inspector. She explained she had never extorted anyone in her life and doesn’t understand how she could have extorted someone. Throughout the voluntary four-hour interview Voss never asked for a lawyer and didn’t leave when she was told she could at any time. She also claimed that she never asked Marisa or anyone to go and negotiate anything for her.
Other evidence from the video statement included Voss explaining to police that the alleged victim was trying to set her up. She said that he knew everything he did and that he came to her with something she could sign.
Voss: “The alleged victim didn’t buy me a house and now I’m in trouble.”
Graham: “You believe he set you up?”
Voss: “I believe so. When you step on his toe he will do everything to knock you down.”
Voss explained to Graham that she wanted to leave the situation she was in but was unable to. Multiple times she told police she should have just packed up her car and run away.
Hobbs’ lawyer Brian Greenspan didn’t cross-examine Graham, while Voss’ lawyer George Joseph asked him if he saw the power imbalance between the alleged victim and the accused Voss. Graham said yes.
Court heard that Voss was correct in saying the alleged victim had called her to discuss the agreement involving the house. At first, Voss said she could not remember why she texted an unnamed additional party about the deal, though it appeared that the alleged victim’s call prompted these texts. Graham’s original testimony indicated no calls between Voss and the unnamed victim, but it was revealed that phone records were only checked within a four-hour timeframe.
Crown Attorney Peter Keen is expected to close his case Wednesday morning with the defence expected to start calling witnesses once that is complete.
Mary Voss, Keith and Marisa Hobbs are alleged to have extorted an over $400,000 house from the alleged victim who is protected under a media ban.
