MOOSE JAW — With an ongoing climate control issue at the Moose Jaw Provincial Courthouse rendering much of the building well above room temperature, the atmosphere in Courtroom 1 was hot and tempers were flaring — at least on the other side of a video screen.
Judge Brian Hendrickson was presiding on the morning of June 11 as William Montgomery Earl appeared remotely by video conference from the Regina Correctional Centre to speak about his case regarding plans for a bail hearing.
Earl became livid when the judge asked if he had spoken to his defence lawyer, Zakary Anderson. “You mean his lack of being a lawyer?” he retorted when given the opportunity to speak.
Earl continued by stating that he had written down “15 infractions” against Anderson and went on to declare that “he has refused to help me” and has “refused to offer any advice.”
He repeated that Anderson had “refused to help me out” until Judge Hendrickson calmed him down by respectfully interrupting to ask for details on what Anderson did that was so wrong.
Earl didn’t specify any of these apparent infractions, but when Judge Hendrickson asked how he wished to proceed – including whether he wished to retain Anderson as his defence – he replied in the negative and said, “I will represent myself.
“What else can I do?” Earl said as he began to speak in a calmer tone of voice.
After listening to Earl’s rant, Anderson chose to withdraw his council and Judge Hendrickson granted his request.
Earl has remained in police custody since earlier this spring when charges were brought against him by a former romantic partner.
At his first court appearance on April 8, Earl appeared behind glass to discuss plans for a bail hearing. He quickly began to exhibit similar behaviour and responded with a cynical and dismissive attitude.
“This is a joke,” he loudly declared over Judge David Chow as he spoke to the matter. “I tried to stay away from that (woman). I’m better off in… jail.”
He remained seated with his arms crossed and audibly uttered to himself, “What a joke.”
When asked how he wished to proceed in his first hearing, Earl responded, “Legal Aid, man. That’s all I can afford.” This was when Legal Aid lawyer Anderson was assigned to his case.
When Judge Hendrickson heard his June 11 request to represent himself, he advised Earl of his rights including the option of a court-appointed council. Earl appeared set on representing himself but agreed to receive the necessary paperwork from the court.
Judge Hendrickson then advised that the matter be adjourned for one week to give the accused time to speak with the Crown Prosecutor to discuss the matter further.
When Judge Hendrickson asked Earl what demands the Crown was looking to impose, he replied, “Anderson hasn’t given me any bit of information” on the Crown’s position.
Earl will next appear in court on Tuesday, June 18 for an anticipated bail hearing.
