A man convicted of dangerous driving and assault with a weapon for nearly hitting a pro-Palestine protester two years ago had visited a mosque that day and confronted a family, telling them they needed to be “saved by the god of Israel,” according to a pre-sentence report.
The information was revealed during a sentencing hearing Friday for Christopher Sura Johnson, who was found guilty in November for the Dec. 3, 2023, incident at a protest on the legislature grounds.
Four videos entered as evidence during the four-day trial showed Johnson stopping on Menzies Street, and Omar Babili, wearing a high-visibility vest and waving a Palestinian flag, crossing the street in front of him.
The videos showed Johnson making what 小蓝视频 Supreme Court Justice Gareth Morley called a “sharp, sudden and unexpected turn” from Menzies Street onto the sidewalk while Babili sprinted out of the vehicle’s path.
In convicting Johnson, the judge found he intended to intimidate or threaten Babili with his vehicle. He noted during Johnson’s sentencing hearing that Johnson made several racist remarks when he testified in his own defence at trial.
Babili was not hit, but only because he ran out of the way, Crown prosecutor Tim Stokes said.
Stokes is calling for a 3.5- to four-year sentence on the assault-with-a-weapon charge and 1.5 to two years for dangerous driving, with the sentences to be served concurrently. He also recommended a five-year driving prohibition to begin after any incarceration period, and a lifetime weapons ban.
Babili experiences flashbacks of the incident and lives in fear of a repeat assault, Stokes said. He has experienced racism and racial violence in the past and “continues to dwell on what would have happened to him if he didn’t get out of the way in time,” Stokes said.
A community impact statement by some in the Muslim community in Victoria says the assault caused people “to live in fear simply because of who they are and what they believe,” he said.
Johnson has a history of substance abuse, mental-health struggles and violent offences, including a conviction for assault with a weapon for a 2010 incident in which Johnson deliberately hit a woman with his car, breaking her leg and leaving her concussed, Stokes said.
He has received psychiatric care for major depressive episodes and anger issues and has been diagnosed with multiple substance-abuse problems, adjustment disorder and psychotic symptoms, he said.
His mother, sister and counsellor say Johnson has exhibited delusional and paranoid behaviour and experiences periods when he is quick to anger, Stokes said.
A psychiatric assessment found Johnson is at moderate-to-high risk of engaging in violence within the next six to 12 months, he said.
Defence lawyer Roisin Neary argued Johnson should serve a two-year sentence in the community under house arrest. She said Johnson has made significant improvements since his trial in November.
He had a tumultuous upbringing, with violence in the home and a father who was at one point in a psychiatric facility due to a mental breakdown, she said.
Neary said when Johnson saw the pro-Palestine demonstration, it was a triggering moment for him because of his background. His mother was a Czech refugee and he has ties to the Jewish community, she said.
Johnson is ready to take responsibility for his actions and has said he wants to be a “good Christian,” she said.
Johnson addressed the court to apologize for infringing on people’s freedom to protest. He said he feels “extremely foolish” for his actions.
“If there is any way that I could right my wrongs, be of service to my country, my place of birth, Canada, I hope that I can be provided the proper resources, avenues and means to do so,” he said.
Morley will deliver his decision on sentencing July 10.
