Michael Oxford’s outburst toward a judge outside a provincial courtroom in Corner Brook on Thursday afternoon may have landed him in more legal trouble.
After being denied bail on 19 charges that include breaches of an undertaking, recognizance and probation order, the 56-year-old Corner Brook man became upset and uttered the word “wow.”
He then shouted at Judge Kymil Howe, complaining it was not right.
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Howe asked him if he thought he was going to improve his situation by sitting there and shouting at her. He said he didn’t mean to be shouting.
Howe then said they should move on and set his next court date for the matters to be dealt with, Oxford started shouting again and sheriff’s officers were instructed to remove him from the court room.
He didn’t go without having more words.
“You can do what you f----n' want. I’ll see you, bitch.”
Howe then said that sounded like a threat.
Once the door to the courtroom closed behind him, Howe attempted to continue the proceedings. But Oxford could be heard yelling expletives and derogatory comments directed at Howe in the hallway. That included him yelling: “I’ll kill you.”
Howe remained composed on the bench and said they would set a date for Oxford’s return and court was over. “I believe I’ve just been threatened.”
Before leaving the court, Howe said she intended to contact police.
Oxford has an extensive criminal record with close to 100 prior convictions including 14 convictions earlier this year of which 12 were for breaches of conditions.
Early in the appearance Howe pointed out that the bulk of the 19 new charges were for breaches of court orders.
There are three reasons that bail can be denied — if it’s necessary to ensure attendance at court, for the protection or safety of the public or to maintain confidence in the administration of justice.
In Oxford’s case, Howe said, the latter two gave the court grounds to justify his detention.
Howe said court orders are what gives the public confidence in the administration of justice.
Howe said the situation with Oxford is such that the court can’t craft conditions that would ensure he doesn’t continue to commit the dame kinds of offences.
“Repeatedly granting bail to individuals who repeatedly demonstrate that they can’t comply with bail conditions does nothing to support confidence in the administration of justice.”
Oxford will be back in court on Oct. 30
