Freedom Convoy organizer Pat King is scheduled to be sentenced today for his role in the destructive protests that brought downtown Ottawa to a standstill for more than three weeks in early 2022.
Crown Prince Prosecutor Moise Karimjee is seeking serious punishment for King, who was found guilty on five criminal charges in Ontario Superior Court in November. The charges include two counts of disobeying a court order and one count each of mischief, counseling for mischief, and counseling for obstructing public transportation. peace officer.
A mischief conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years.
Judge Charles Hackland ruled that Dr. King “personally led a large convoy.” used their social media presence to plan and encourage destructive activities;.
The court found that Dr. King’s own social media videos documented his leadership and broadcast his intentions both before and during the protests.
According to evidence presented during the trial, Dr. King instructed truck drivers to ignore a court injunction banning honking downtown. They also organized a “slow roll” near the Ottawa International Airport and helped block off Wellington Street near Parliament Hill.
King was acquitted of three charges related to intimidation, and Hackland noted in his sentencing that he did not threaten violence or property damage.
King’s attorney, Natasha Calviño, previously expressed disappointment with the decision, but noted that the acquittal on the threat charge shows King’s intentions were not violent.
King’s arrest in February 2022 was livestreamed on social media and made national headlines. After Dr. King was arrested, He faced a lengthy bail process during which he was detained out of concern that he might reoffend.
he eventually He will be released in July 2022 under strict conditions, including restrictions on the use of social media..
In August 2023, Dr. King was briefly imprisoned again. He is suspected of violating bail conditions. It was then released under stricter restrictions.
Today’s sentencing comes 1,064 days after Dr. King’s arrest.
