Bail review for ‘Freedom Convoy’ organizer Pat King abruptly adjourned
Posted Apr 13, 2022 11:05 am.
Last Updated Apr 13, 2022 1:54 pm.
The bail hearing for ‘Freedom Convoy’ organizer Pat King came to an abrupt and unexpected end after only a few hours on Wednesday.
The Ontario Superior Court began hearing arguments to release King on bail after his lawyer requested a review of the initial decision to keep him in jail until his trial.
The details of these latest proceedings are subject to a publication ban and cannot be shared outside of court.
The court also banned any publication about the reason for the sudden adjournment, at least until court resumes on Thursday.
King was a crucial figure in the three-week convoy protest against COVID-19 restrictions and the federal government that swarmed Ottawa’s downtown streets at the end of January, blocking roads and blaring loud horns at all hours.
King was denied bail on Feb. 25.
King was arrested back on Feb. 18 on four charges: mischief, counselling to commit mischief, counselling to commit the offence of disobeying a court order, and counselling to obstruct police.
In a bail decision later that month, Justice of the Peace Andrew Seymour said he’s not satisfied that King if released, wouldn’t commit offences similar to those he’s accused of.
Seymour also says he isn’t confident in King’s proposed surety, an Alberta woman who has only known King for four weeks. That person also took part in the protests.
Fellow protest leader Tamara Lich was arrested a day before King and charged with mischief and counselling to commit mischief. She was initially denied bail, but that decision was reversed following a review.
Lich is appealing her bail conditions as she awaits trial. In late March, her lawyer filed an appeal of the bail conditions, including restrictions on the use of social media, in an Ontario court. A date for that review has not yet been set.
With files from Cormac Mac Sweeney, Hana Mae Nassar and Michael Ranger of CityNews
