Pat King guilty of mischief charges, not guilty of intimidation

Pat King, a prominent figure in the Freedom Convoy protest that disrupted downtown Ottawa in early 2022, has been found guilty of some charges while being acquitted of others.

Superior Court Justice Charles Hackland is delivering the verdict at the Ottawa Courthouse on Friday. King has been convicted of mischief and counselling to commit mischief, but acquitted of intimidation and counselling to commit intimidation.

During the three weeks of testimony earlier this year, King pleaded not guilty. The case centered on differing interpretations of his role in the protests. While the Crown argued that King held significant influence, supported by extensive social media evidence, his defense claimed he was not in control of the convoy.

A key aspect of the defense, led by lawyer Natasha Calvinho, was the assertion that police and government actions “barricaded” protesters in downtown Ottawa, preventing them from leaving. Calvinho also highlighted instances where King encouraged supporters to remain peaceful and cooperate with authorities.

King’s arrest in February 2022 gained widespread attention when it was broadcast live on social media. His bail proceedings were contentious, with initial concerns that he might re-offend or violate conditions leading to prolonged detention. He was eventually released in July 2022 under strict conditions, including bans on social media use and protest organization.

King’s compliance with these conditions was questioned again in August 2023 when he was briefly jailed for alleged violations. Although he denied the allegations, he was detained before being released a week later under tighter restrictions.

This decision represents a significant moment in the legal consequences of the Freedom Convoy, which garnered global attention and prompted the federal government to invoke the Emergencies Act for the first time.