‘Prolific nuisance’ back in Penticton court

PENTICTON – He’s been called a “social nuisance,” “incorrigible,” and a “repeat customer” of the courts.

Gerzon Kovacs has also been sentenced to a up to a year in jail, threatened with banishment from the community and has been the subject of more than 64 Penticton RCMP police calls since January 2015.

The 68-year-old has certainly been consistent because he was back in the Penticton courthouse again today, Monday, March 12, this time facing two counts, one for uttering threats to a Summerland police officer and another for indecent exposure, arising from an incident in Summerland on March 1.

Kovacs appeared before Judge Gale Sinclair, who, along with defence lawyer Robert Maxwell, expected to deal with a guilty plea and sentencing hearing today.

Kovacs, however, was of another mind when he appeared on video from Okanagan Correctional Centre, where he initiated proceedings by claiming innocence to the indecent exposure charge because, he said, he had to take a pee in the snow to see what colour it was.

“I have an issue with my pee. I have a doctor, and I have an issue with my pee,” he told the court, adding he didn’t have time to make it to a washroom.

Kovacs also told court he apologized for yelling threats at the police officer who arrested him, saying he put the cuffs on so tight, “They almost cut my wrists off.”

“You’re always apologizing, Gurzon,” Judge Gale Sinclair said.

Defence lawyer Robert Maxwell told Gurzon he told him to plead not guilty the first time Kovacs claimed innocence, prior to a court appearance last week.

“You stood up in court last week and said you were guilty and were sorry for everything. Now you’re telling me (different),” Maxwell said, adding Kovacs was now going to get a trial date, to take place in the next two or three months.

“No, what is this? Why are you torturing me, there’s no air in here,” Kovacs, who is in custody, replied.

“You can’t suck and blow at the same time. I’m not accepting guilty pleas just to get you on your way. You’re guilty or not, under the law, and we’re going to have to find out,” the judge said, adjourning the matter to the judicial case manager to set a trial date.

Kovacs is well known by police and justice officials for his drunken bouts of bad behaviour, often resulting in threats made to members of the public.

Kovacs was ordered to abstain from drinking following sentencing for causing a disturbance at Cherry Lane Mall on Sept. 3, 2015.

He was given a year in jail in January 2016 after Judge Gregory Koturbash told him: “You were placed on probation on several instances and you weren’t deterred. You’re content to drink, so the court is committed to sending you to jail.”

In January of this year, Kovacs was sentenced to a single day in jail for causing a disturbance in Summerland after being charged with two counts of uttering threats.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.