Rock in sock nets man weapon conviction

PENTICTON – Putting a rock in a sock was enough for a judge to convict a Penticton man with a weapon charge.

Provincial Court Judge Gregory Koturbash found Anthony Leonard Donald Samuelson, 20, guilty of assault with a weapon and aggravated assault for attacking another person last winter near the bridge on Front Street. The charge of possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose was stayed.

Koturbash said the victim's testimony was more compelling than the accused's. And putting the rock into a sock to use as a weapon is more serious than simply picking up a stick or loose stone.

The judge also agreed with defence lawyer James Pennington's assessment this was a case of alcohol plus testosterone equaling stupidity.

The now-convicted man sat quietly in court and was told to return on Feb. 12. Pennington's request of a psychiatric assessment for his client for a pre-sentence report was granted.

To contact a reporter for this story, to send photos or videos, email Shannon Quesnel at squesnel@infotelnews.ca, call 250-488-3065, send tweets to @shannonquesnel1 or @InfoNewsPentict.