A 21-year-old man went on trial Monday, Feb. 3 in Prince George provincial court, charged with assault with a weapon, possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose and breach of a release order.
Russell William Don Smith is accused of discharging a canister of bear spray inside a residence near Harwin Elementary School on Sept. 16, 2023.
The Crown alleged Smith was engaged in a verbal argument with another man in the basement suite and then asked to leave. Rather than leave peacefully, it's alleged Smith sprayed the noxious substance at someone in the residence, affecting people inside the basement suite and upstairs.
Prince George RCMP officers treated the occupants, including a 12-year-old boy, before paramedics arrived.
The Crown alleged that Smith’s previous release order prohibited him from possessing any weapon, including bear spray.
Judge Judith Doulis was expected to hear testimony from five witnesses.
