The Crown prosecutor in the criminal mischief trial of Freedom Ride organizer Pat King says the accused will not testify.
The trial itself is being postponed again at the request of defence lawyer Natasha Calvinho, who told the judge this morning that she needed the adjournment for “personal” reasons.
This is the second time this month that the case has been adjourned as Ms Calvinho was preparing to call her first witness, which will not happen until Wednesday at the earliest.
Mr. King was a leading member of the convoy that blocked downtown Ottawa for more than three weeks in 2022, part of a massive protest against COVID-19 public health restrictions, vaccine mandates and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Mr King has pleaded not guilty to mischief, counselling others to commit mischief, obstructing police and other offences related to his role in the three-week protest.
The Crown presented its case over a two-week period in May, with evidence relying largely on videos Mr. King himself posted online during the protest.
The trial is scheduled to resume Wednesday when Justice Charles Hackland will decide whether three Ottawa Police Service officers will have to testify after being subpoenaed by the defence.
Ottawa police say officers have no relevant evidence and have asked Judge Hackland to quash the summonses.
To see in video