The hearing to review the warranty of the organizer of the Ottawa escort, Pat King, stopped abruptly and unexpectedly after only a few hours on Wednesday. The Ontario Supreme Court heard evidence that King should have been released on bail after his lawyer asked for a review of the court’s original decision to keep him in jail pending trial. Details of the latter procedure are subject to a publication ban and may not be disclosed out of court. The court also banned any publication on the reason for the sudden postponement, at least until the court resumed on Thursday. King was a key figure in the three-week protest against restrictions on COVID-19 and the federal government that flooded downtown Ottawa with heavy trucks, blocking roads and shouting loud horns at all hours. He faces 10 charges related to his involvement, including harassment, intimidation, obstruction of police and disobedience to a court order. King denied the warranty on February 25. On Wednesday, he appeared freshly shaved, in jeans, a gray flannel shirt and a vest with his hair in a neat braid. The hearing was initially expected to last two days. This Canadian Press report was first published on April 13, 2022. Laura Osman, The Canadian Press
