In a critical ruling on Friday, an Ottawa judge found Pat King, a notable figure in Canada’s protests against COVID-19 restrictions, guilty of five charges relating to mischief and disobeying a court order. King, who gained notoriety through his extensive use of social media and videos, emerged as a key leader during the trucker convoy protests that significantly disrupted the capital for over a month in early 2022.
The case against King is one of several high-profile trials facing those accused of orchestrating the protests and rallying support for participation. This ruling comes in the wake of two men receiving sentences exceeding six years for public mischief and firearm possession linked to a separate protest in Coutts, Alberta, where law enforcement discovered a collection of weapons.
Meanwhile, verdicts are still pending for other protest organizers, including Tamara Lich and Chris Barber, who also played significant roles in the Ottawa demonstrations. The charges of mischief, defined within Canada’s criminal code as acts resulting in property damage or disruption, can lead to a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. King's attorney did not provide immediate comments following the ruling.