Ottawa's mayor, Larry O'Brien, was in court for the second day of his trial Tuesday, accompanied by his wife, Colleen McBride-O'Brien. (Franois Leclerc/CBC)

Lawyers in the trial of Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien debated Tuesday over how to proceed with controversial evidence gathered by police during their investigation into the case of alleged influence-peddling.

O'Brien's defence lawyer, Michael Edelson, described the evidence against his client as "an unprecedented array of hearsay."

The judge hearing the trial of Ottawa Mayor Larry O'Brien, above, will answer questions about testimony when the trial resumes next Monday. (Franois Leclerc/CBC)

O'Brien was charged in 2007 after Terry Kilrea, his opponent in the 2006 municipal election, claimed that O'Brien had encouraged him to drop out of the mayoral race.

Kilrea said O'Brien had offered in return to pay for his campaign expenses and get him a job with the federal government.

Much of the evidence submitted during the trial, which began Monday, will consist of recounted conversations among Kilrea, O'Brien and a long list of potential witnesses.

Some evidence could include the interviews the Ontario Provincial Police conducted with dozens of people during their investigation into the allegations.

Scott Hutchison, the Crown attorney, said Tuesday morning it would be "impossible" for Douglas Cunningham, the Ontario Superior Court justice hearing the trial, to understand the case without that evidence.

Cunningham is expected answer the questions about how the trial will proceed with testimony when the court reconvenes next Monday.