A violent reaction to a potent cannabis edible in 2020 has sent a remorseful London, Ont., man to jail.
Kristopher Mitchell, 42, told Ontario Court in Brantford that he is ashamed of his behavior after he consumed a “gummy” with 24 times the amount of THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol — the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis, that can be legally sold in a store .
He pleaded guilty to robbery, impaired operation of a vehicle causing bodily harm, flight from police, assault and resisting arrest.
Assistant Crown attorney Michael Dean said Mitchell “wreaked havoc on a portion of the community.
“He violently confronted a complete stranger, robbed them of their motor vehicle, drove the wrong way down a public road … and capped it all off by driving at a police vehicle. It had the potential to kill people, if not seriously injure them.”
One person injured was a man whose car Mitchell stole. When he reached into the vehicle to try to stop Mitchell, the man was held and dragged 75 to 100 meters before being released. He suffered injuries to his head, shoulder, neck, back and hip.
Dean said the injuries have had a debilitating effect on the victim’s life.
Mitchell also drove the wrong way on Veterans Memorial Parkway causing oncoming traffic to swerve out of his way. He pulled two U-turns on that road and, at one point, drove into a ditch and almost flipped the vehicle.
Police laid out a spike belt but Mitchell was able to avoid it.
Finally, hemmed in by cruisers at Colborne Street West and Shellard Lane, Mitchell drove directly at a police vehicle.
When officers moved in to remove him from the vehicle, Mitchell fought back and had to be Tasered twice. He was taken to hospital.
Defense lawyer Jim Dean (no relation to the Crown) said his client struggled with learning disabilities as a child and was bullied. He doesn’t work and lives with supportive parents.
He said Mitchell has dealt with addiction for much of his life, ranging from crack cocaine to crystal methamphetamine.
“He’s very embarrassed and ashamed,” said the lawyer.
“He recognizes he needs to straighten out his life.”
The Crown told Justice Kathleen Baker that Mitchell should be sentenced to the maximum jail term and placed on probation for two years. The defense suggested house arrest for 18 to 24 months to permit Mitchell to stay with his parents and get help for his addiction.
The judge dismissed the defence’s suggestion.
“There will be no conditional sentence,” said Baker. “This was a very serious offense that placed many in significant danger. It was a sustained flight after a violent carjacking.”
She sentenced Mitchell two years less a day in jail and a two-year probation, during which he must get counseling for substance abuse, criminal behavior and unresolved trauma.
“I’m sure this is not the outcome you preferred but THC is known to have psychoactive elements and, in some cases, causes really serious psychological problems,” the judge told Mitchell.
“It’s best to stay away from it.”
@EXPSGamble