Rick Mehta. – Submitted Photo by Contributed /ContributedArticle contentFormer Acadia professor Rick Mehta almost got thrown out of court Tuesday on the second day of his trial for making threats against employees of the province’s Justice Department.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentHe was ultimately found guilty on two counts of uttering threats, but while Judge Alonzo Wright was summarizing the arguments of Mehta, who represented himself, Mehta yelled out. “Objection, I don’t recall saying those words. Don’t put words in my mouth, buddy boy.”Article contentArticle contentArticle contentThe judge calmly replied that “if there are any more outbursts in the court, I’m going to have to remove you from the court.”Article contentAn outburst wasn’t unexpected in light of the chaotic first day of the trial last month, when Mehta insulted and argued with the judge, court and justice system, acted out movie scenes and engaged in other bizarre behaviour.Article contentIn rendering his verdict, Wright said he accepted that the Crown had proven its case. Evidence showed that Mehta sent one email and a separate, unrelated letter to employees, and in both he set a deadline for a response. He wrote that if he did not get a response in time, he would go to the Kentville court offices with dialogue in the back of his mind from the movie They Live.Article contentThe line he quoted from the lead character was “I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass. And I’m all out of bubblegum.” It is uttered when the character is in an office setting, right before he begins to shoot aliens.Article contentArticle contentThe Crown had argued that while Mehta wrote in the threats that he didn’t have a gun, the phrase “here to kick some ass” was enough to be a threat.Article contentArticle contentWright said he found all the Crown witnesses to be credible in their testimony.Article contentThe judge said, “I do not make this finding based upon the demeanor of Mr. Mehta at this trial. It is not based upon Mr. Mehta’s name-calling of this honourable court, or his deliberate, intentional use of racially charged words that could only be viewed as a very poor attempt to get a reaction from this court or a personal attack.”Article contentWright repeatedly asked Mehta if he wanted to take the stand before closing arguments. During the exchange, Mehta said he was God’s representative on Earth but was standing in the Devil’s court.Article content“The court is not equipped for me,” he said. “There’s a natural position of conflict there. If you were King Solomon, this would be a whole different story.”
Former Acadia prof Mehta almost tossed from court before guilty finding in threats case
