SYDNEY, N.S. — A look at an accused person’s criminal past helps explain an off-the-cuff remark he made on Monday, after learning what charges were filed against him.
John Travis MacKinnon, 28, of Bentinck Street in Sydney appeared before provincial court Judge Brian Williston on Monday after being arrested Friday.
MacKinnon inquired of the judge as to exactly what he is charged with.
Williston informed MacKinnon he was charged with aggravated assault and assault causing bodily harm. Both offences are alleged to have occurred Sept. 21 in Sydney.
“I’m f…ed,” said MacKinnon, in learning of the charges, as he was led away by sheriff deputies.
His comment drew a few chuckles from those in the public gallery.
MacKinnon’s suspicion is well-founded.
In 2009, he was sentenced to serve a seven-year sentence on a charge of manslaughter in connection with the death of 71-year-old Inverness man.
In 2013, while on parole from the manslaughter charge, MacKinnon pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery and was sentenced to serve just under four years.
While in jail, MacKinnon was found guilty of having a five-inch improvised knife, or shank, in his waistband, and a 12-inch shank in his cell. He was also segregated for an unprovoked attack on an elderly inmate, then transferred to higher security after assaulting another inmate.
MacKinnon is scheduled to have a bail hearing today on the new charges.
