'Punishment is far exceeded already': Sask. father takes the stand as part of sentencing hearing in own defence

Michael Gordon Jackson took the stand under oath Monday in a turn of events at court which turned sentencing submissions into a sentencing hearing.

Michael Gordon Jackson took the stand under oath Monday in a turn of events at court which turned sentencing submissions into a sentencing hearing.

Jackson, 55, was found guilty by a jury in April following two weeks of proceedings for contravention of a custody order for withholding his then 7-year-old daughter from her mother in late 2021 to early 2022 to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine.

He is representing himself in the proceedings.

Justice Heather MacMillian-Brown allowed Jackson extra time to build his defense submissions after he claimed in court on August 9 he did not receive neither the Crown’s nor his Amicus’ submission briefs until arriving at court that morning.

Jackson was to submit his sentencing argument Monday.

He began his submissions by describing how court orders prevented him from speaking to or seeing his daughter for over two and a half years has been punishment enough.

“The court has forced the separation of myself and [my daughter],” Jackson said. “I find this appalling they’re keeping us apart.