Troy Mruk appears in this 2023 Facebook photo.
Image Credit: FACEBOOK: Troy Mruk
November 18, 2024 - 7:00 AM
A former Kelowna man found guilty of intimidation of the justice system has successfully avoided being sentenced for the third time.
Troy Alvin Mruk again failed to appear in court Friday, Nov. 15, this time saying his 83-year-old mother had had a heart attack the day before and she couldn't drive him from Prince George to the Kelowna courthouse.
This is the third time Mruk has avoided sentencing after he was found guilty of intimidation of the justice system following a trial in January.
The charge dates back to May 2021 and the incident took place in West Kelowna. It's unclear what Mruk did in order to be found guilty of intimidation of the justice system and the charge is unusual, especially in the circumstances as Mruk wasn't charged with any other offence at the same time.
The court heard how Mruk moved to Prince George last year and cares for his elderly mother. As he doesn't drive, his mom was supposed to drive him on the eight-hour journey to Kelowna.
However, the 48-year-old told the court by phone his elderly mom had a minor heart attack.
"It seems to me that the accused is trying to avoid being sentenced," Crown prosecutor Catherine Gagnon told the court. "Last time he didn't show up in court, he was arrested."
The court heard he'd previously not shown up for court on two other occasions.
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The Crown prosecutor said she had made inquiries with court staff about Mruk appearing by video from the Prince George courthouse.
However, Gagnon said she hadn't found a solution.
"Unless he's under arrest and he appears by video from the jail, I don't see how we're going to do this," she said.
Ultimately, the proceedings were adjourned until Nov. 21 when Crown prosecutors will make an application to the court for an arrest warrant.
Until then, Mruk remains guilty of a criminal offence, but out and about in the community on bail.
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