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(JESSICA WALLACE / iNFOnews.ca)
February 25, 2013 - 5:05 PM
REFUSED TREATMENT TO 'GET THIS OVER WITH'
By Jessica Wallace
A man scheduled to be sentenced on drug charges was ushered from the Kamloops courthouse today, but not like anyone expected.
Cornelis Wierks was taken from the courthouse on a stretcher after apparently suffering side effects from a recent heart surgery compounded by the stress of awaiting sentencing.
Wierks was waiting his turn before the judge in courtroom 5B at about 2:30 p.m. when audible shallow breaths caught the attention of a B.C. sheriff. The sheriff tended to Wierks as he hunched over complaining of pain while sitting in the courtroom viewing area.
The sheriff asked him whether medical attention was required, but Wierks declined, stating he wanted to "get this over with."
He was in court for sentencing on charges of production of a controlled substance and possession for the purpose of trafficking out of Blind Bay, B.C.
Despite Wierks' hesitation, the sheriff called a colleague and reminded Wierks that health takes priority.
B.C. Supreme Court Justice Joel Groves interrupted another case to order the sheriffs to phone the paramedics.
Weirks was escorted from the room by the sheriffs, aided by his friend George Whyte.
Whyte said Wierks had open-heart surgery in September to repair four blocked ventricles in his heart.
"He hasn't been bad, but he was just stressed out today," Whyte said.
His counsel, defense lawyer Rob Bruneau, said sentencing would be adjourned to a later date yet to be determined.
"I'll take care of things from here," Bruneau said to Wierks as he was taken away. "Don't you worry."
To contact a reporter for this story, email: jwallace@infotelnews.ca or call (250) 319-7494.
News from © iNFOnews, 2013