Prosecutor berated in court

A North Okanagan man was threatened with fines and jail after repeatedly berating a Crown prosecutor in a Vernon courtroom — calling the lawyer “simple” amid other expletive-filled insults.

Edward Allan Lockhart was in Vernon provincial court on Tuesday to be cross-examined by Crown counsel Matthew Blow. Lockhart is standing trial on charges of assault with a weapon, uttering threats, failing to stop and dangerous driving stemming from an alleged incident in August of 2022.

Lockhart sounded frustrated and confused by Blow’s questions and called him several four-letter names while being cross-examined.

Provincial court Judge David Patterson told Lockhart not to call Blow or anybody else derogatory terms, to which Lockhart said he was “calling what I see.”

After Patterson warned Lockhart he could be cited in contempt of court and fined or jailed if he continued to disrespect Blow or the court, the accused answered the remaining questions without incident.

Lockhart's expletives were not reserved for Crown counsel — he also called the alleged victim in the incident a number of obscene names.

Lockhart is accused of causing a collision while attempting to pass another vehicle on Highway 97 near O'Keefe Ranch. After pulling over, he is accused of brandishing a hammer during a brief interaction with the other driver.

In court on Tuesday, Lockhart testified he told the woman to "f--k off and die."

Lockhart will be back in court on Oct. 28 for continuation of his trial. He is not in custody.