“This was not an expression of political beliefs, it was a manifestation of mob mentality.”
Canadian Anti-Hate Network
The man convicted of throwing gravel at Justin Trudeau during a heated campaign stop in 2021 has been sentenced to 90 days of house arrest, a year of probation, and community service.
Shane Marshall, a former PPC riding president who we found running multiple violent and racist social media accounts, pleaded guilty to common assault last week. He was originally facing charges of assault with a weapon.
Appearing in court on Monday, Ontario court Justice Kevin McHugh delivered his ruling, calling the assault on the prime minister undemocratic.
“Acts of violence against our public figures are anti-democratic and need to be denounced in the strongest of terms,” said McHugh. “Mr. Marshall did not just impose upon Mr. Trudeau’s health and safety, in a very public, enchantable way he threatened the liberties and the sense of security we all hold dear in this country.
“This was not an expression of political beliefs, it was a manifestation of mob mentality.”
Marshall will serve 90 days on a conditional sentence, followed by 12 months of probation. He is also restricted from owning a firearm for five years. The crown initially asked for a 10-year restriction, but Marshall’s defence argued for leniency given this is his first criminal offence and that he is a hunter.
Marshall is also required to perform 80 hours of community service, attend counselling, and remain 100 metres away from Justin Trudeau.
“What Mr.Marshall did was stifle discussion and discourage political volunteerism for fear of intimidation or physical violence,” said McHugh. “The act of throwing gravel in the fashion that he did certainly had the potential to cause injury particularly if one were to be hit in the face or the eye with this material. By any measure, this was a serious assault.”
During the trial, Marshall’s lawyer attempted to call the prime minister to testify, though this was unsuccessful. Trudeau did not submit a victim impact statement and was unharmed. Both the New Democrat and the Conservative Party leaders condemned the stone-throwing during the election.
In the media and in court, Marshall offered his apologies and regrets about throwing the rocks.
“I would like to apologize for my actions. It was not my intention to cause a scene or hurt anybody,” he told a court last week, according to Global News. “I apologize to everyone.”
After the sentence was handed down on Monday, his defence attorney also struck a conciliatory tone.
"Shane has acknowledged how serious this was and how dangerous it could have been. Someone could have been seriously injured. His goal now is to find ways to deal with his emotions through counselling and make sure nothing like this happens again."
During the course of the trial and sentencing, however, Marshall often mocked or made light of his actions and proceedings. Taking on the nickname “Pebbles” after being charged with the assault, he has made appearances on live streams for members of Diagolon and Canada First.
Like, he literally posted this during the trial.
— Étienne Quintal (@quintal_etienne) May 8, 2023
Note the title of the song he tagged on the picture. pic.twitter.com/wPRTRvvzv2
Canada First has largely shuttered since its founder, live streamer Tyler Russell, relocated to the United States. Russell attended the 2021 London event with Marshall, though was live streaming himself giving Trudeau the middle finger from within the crowd when the stones were thrown.
Since the sentencing, he joked the outcome was due in part to consuming “one Long Island Iced Tea” and his low tolerance for alcohol before throwing the stones.
Marshall’s family started a crowdfunding campaign through a site friendly to causes and members of the far-right to help pay for his legal costs. The total raised sits at $1,041 at time of publication.
Marshall originally gained notoriety by regularly attending many Southern Ontario COVID conspiracy street protests in a white balaclava with a dark camouflage version of the Red Ensign – the original flag of Canada under the British Commonwealth.
The Canadian Anti-Hate Network first reported on Marshall after finding he was behind multiple social media accounts posting violent and white supremacist propaganda while serving as a riding director for the Elgin-Middlesex-London PPC in two elections, according to public information from Elections Canada.
Ranging from posts of Boogaloo imagery to white power anthems, Marshall was not shy about airing out extreme beliefs, even while participating in federal elections.
While the candidate, Chelsea Hillier -- daughter of former member of Ontario’s provincial parliament and founder of the No More Lockdowns coalition Randy Hillier – eventually removed Marshall from the position, he appeared on the same live stream as Chelsea Hillier during an election party held at a Hillier family property.
An attendee during the 2022 blockade protests that snarled the streets of Ottawa, a poorly redacted document from the inquiry into the use of the Emergency Act written by the Ontario Provincial Police includes captures of his social media accounts at the time, with one post reading “I’m ready to die here, Fedboi – are you?”
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