Freedom Convoy organizer Pat King is about to be sentenced as we speak for his function within the disruptive protest that introduced Ottawa’s downtown to a standstill for greater than three weeks in early 2022.
Crown prosecutor Moiz Karimjee is looking for a major penalty for King, who in November was convicted in Ontario Superior Court of five criminal charges: two counts of disobeying a court docket order and one every of mischief, counselling to commit mischief and counselling to hinder a public or peace officer.
A mischief conviction carries a most sentence of 10 years.
Justice Charles Hackland decided King “personally led a big convoy” and used his social media presence to plan and encourage disruptive activities.
The court docket discovered King’s personal social media movies documented his management and broadcast his intentions each earlier than and through the protest.
Proof offered through the trial confirmed King directed truckers to disregard a court docket injunction banning the honking of horns within the downtown space. He additionally organized a “sluggish roll” close to the Ottawa Worldwide Airport and assisted in blockading Wellington Avenue close to Parliament Hill.
King was acquitted of three intimidation-related fees, and Hackland famous in his determination that he had not threatened violence or property harm.
King’s lawyer Natasha Calvinho beforehand expressed disappointment with the choice, however pointed to his acquittal on the intimidation fees as an indication that King’s intentions weren’t violent.
King’s arrest in February 2022, which was livestreamed on social media, made nationwide headlines. Following his arrest, King faced a protracted bail process during which he was kept in custody over considerations he would possibly re-offend.
He was ultimately released in July 2022 under strict conditions including limits on his social media use.
In August 2023, King was briefly jailed again for allegedly breaching his bail situations however was later released under tighter restrictions.
At present’s sentencing comes 1,064 days after King’s arrest.
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