Man who failed to isolate has other charges sent to alternative measures

A Charlottetown manwho is awaiting sentencing for failure to self-isolate due to COVID-19has had other criminal charges sent to analternative measures program.

Javan Nsangira, 22,was not present in provincial court in Charlottetown Thursday, when Crown Prosecutor Jeffrey MacDonald recommended the use of alternative measures.

Nsangira previously pleaded guilty to a criminal charge of failing to self-isolate and endangering the public, after he tested positive for COVID-19in July.

He also faced charges of assault, uttering a threat and damage to private property, in relation to a domestic disturbancethe day of his arrest by Charlottetown police.

The female victim told police at the time that Nsangira'smentalstate had been "odd recently and he had not acted likethis before," according to an agreed statement of facts previously presented in P.E.I. SupremeCourt.

The prosecutor's decision to recommend alternative measures for Nsangirameans he will not be prosecuted for the charges arising out of the domesticincident.

An alternative measures agreementtypically requiresthe accused personto admit the facts of the allegations,accept responsibility, and take remedial action as directed by justice officials.

MacDonald told court Nsangira has signed an alternative measures agreement. Defence lawyer Conor Mullin spoke by teleconference,for the accused.

Nsangirawas kept in jail following his arrest July 17, and was released Sept. 8 after pleading guilty to thecharge of failing to self-isolate.

The case had generated public protests outside the Charlottetown court house in recent weeks. Demonstrators have said Nsangira is being treated unfairly by the justice system and by the news media because he is Black.

No demonstrators were outside court Thursday.

Javan Nsangira will return toP.E.I. Supreme Court in January for sentencing for failure to self-isolate.

Also in January, Provincial Court Judge Jeff Lantz will review the status of Nsangira's alternative measures program.

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