UPDATE: 5:30 p.m.
It was a rambunctious day in court for a Kelowna man, seen as the leader of 害羞草研究所榝reedom fighter rallies害羞草研究所�, who was to stand trial Wednesday for two counts of assault.
While David Lindsay eventually gave way to participating in the trial, the proceedings initially hit a snag after he refused to have his bag checked before entering the courtroom.
Due to the large number of people planning to attend the March 1, session, security measures were increased and a bag check was implemented, which Lindsay was not anticipating.
The protest leader was supported by approximately 50 other members of the group Common Law Education and Rights (CLEAR) at the courthouse.
At approximately 9:30 a.m. Lindsay refused to enter the courtroom and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
A sheriff made Lindsay aware of the warrant and he entered the courtroom, without his bag.
Following the mornings antics Judge Cathaline Heinrich put the trial on a break until the afternoon.
At 2:30 p.m., Lindsay once again entered the courtroom, telling Judge Heinrich, 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檓 not participating.害羞草研究所�
He said that without the belongings in his bag, and open access to the courtroom for his supporters, he would not be participating in the trial.
He went on to raise concerns about the 害羞草研究所渃onstitutional violations,害羞草研究所� of requiring personal belongings be searched and said that the required search was preventing his supporters from entering the courtroom.
The judge was quick to cut Lindsay off, to which he replied, 害羞草研究所淵ou know what? You can talk to the hand. I害羞草研究所檓 not participating.害羞草研究所�
Lindsay害羞草研究所檚 charges were read aloud to the court, followed by the judge asking how he would plead. Lindsay did not reply, giving way for the judge to enter a plea of not guilty on his behalf.
Due to Lindsay害羞草研究所檚 silence, it was understood that he would not be calling any witnesses.
After the Crown called their first witness, Lindsay repeated that he would not participate without his notes or supporters.
Lindsay engaged in deliberation with the judge and the court briefly stood down for Lindsay to get his notes and laptop from his bag.
Crown called their first witness Daniel Fortier, an officer with the Kelowna RCMP.
The evidence given by Fortier was placed under a Voir Dire and cannot be reported on.
The trial will resume on March 2, at 9:30 a.m.
害羞草研究所斺赌斺赌斺赌�-
UPDATE: 12:15p.m.
The trial has been postponed until 2p.m. for unrelated reasons.
ORIGINAL: 10a.m.
A leader of 害羞草研究所榝reedom fighter rallies害羞草研究所� in Kelowna was scheduled to begin his trial for two charges of assault on March 1, but the session has been delayed due to his unwillingness to be searched before entering the courtroom.
In an interview outside of the courthouse the accused, David Lindsay said that he will not participate in the trial if the judge does not change the requirement to have personal belongings checked.
Lindsay was supported by approximately 50 other members of the group Common Law Education and Rights (CLEAR) in the courthouse.
Lindsay also told his supporters to refuse the search.
害羞草研究所淚 asked everyone not to go in,害羞草研究所� said Lindsay.
害羞草研究所淭hey do not have reasonable and probable grounds to make a search so we refused to go in.害羞草研究所�
Lindsay said that he was in for a preliminary hearing a few weeks ago with approx. 30 supporters and was not required to participate in a a bag search then.
After Lindsay failed to appear at 9:30 a.m., the judge approved the Crown害羞草研究所檚 request for an 害羞草研究所榰nendorsed bench warrant害羞草研究所� to be issued for Lindsay害羞草研究所檚 arrest.
The warrant was enacted and Lindsay then briefly entered the court to speak with the judge. The warrant was then vacated but will likely be re-enacted if Lindsay fails to appear at 12p.m.
害羞草研究所淭hey may issue another warrant for my arrest because I will not go in the courtroom if these searches are in place.害羞草研究所�
Lindsay said that if the warrant is issued, the sheriffs will arrest him, take him around the back, and into the courtroom.
害羞草研究所淚 will let the judge know what is going on and that I will not be participating in the trial if they害羞草研究所檙e not letting everybody in.害羞草研究所�
This is not the first time a warrant has been issued for his arrest, after failing to appear for court in February 2020, a judge issued a warrant.
If the judge allows people to enter without being searched Lindsay said that he will comply and the trial will proceed as planned.
If not, 害羞草研究所渢hey can talk to the hand. I will simply sit there and not participate.害羞草研究所�
He said that the court will then likely continue the trial and enter a guilty conviction for his charges of assault. If found guilty, he 害羞草研究所渨ill do a constitutional challenge that these searches are unconstitutional.害羞草研究所�
He added that he has been in court more than 350 times across Canada, including 30 times in Kelowna since 2005, and has no history of violence in a courtroom.
He was declared a vexatious litigant in 2006 and has argued several strange cases, including that he is not a 害羞草研究所減erson害羞草研究所� under the Income Tax Act and should not have to file income tax returns.
Following his COVID-19 protests, Lindsay was handed multiple fines worth several thousand dollars by the Kelowna RCMP. The protests often targeted Interior Health facilities and schools. He also organizes weekly protests at Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Stuart Park.
READ MORE: Petition looks to change face of protests in Kelowna after ongoing 害羞草研究所榥uisance害羞草研究所�
READ MORE: Kelowna COVID protester facing charges of assault in court next month
Jacqueline.Gelineau@kelownacapnews.com
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