By Bob Mackin, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Prince George Citizen

Guilty Verdict

Man found guilty of threatening murder and arson

Nov 22, 2025 | 3:00 PM

PRINCE GEORGE — A man who was connected to the Moccasin Flats homeless camp was found guilty in Provincial Court on Nov. 14 of uttering threats to burn down a nearby resident’s house more than a year ago.

But Judge Cassandra Malfair acquitted Patrick Williams of assault with a weapon and possessing a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

The one-day trial heard testimony from one witness. Federal government employee Neil Busse told the court that he arrived home around 10:30 p.m. on Oct. 23, 2024 when he noticed Williams, hunched over and handling a pallet. Busse assumed Williams was a resident of Moccasin Flats and he became concerned that the man would use the pallet to start a fire.

From his front yard, Williams called to the man, then swore at him to get his attention and threatened to call Prince George RCMP, who told neighbours to report any suspicious activity.

That angered Williams who crossed the street to Busse’s property to confront him.

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“I accept Mr. Busse’s evidence that the accused told him more than once that he was going to kill Mr. Busse and burn his house down,” said Malfair, who called Busse a reliable, forthright witness.

Malfair was satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt with Crown prosecutor Katie Diehl’s case that Williams spoke the words with the intention to intimidate Busse, so she found Williams guilty of uttering threats.

Busse also testified that he believed Williams had a four-inch knife when he reached into his pocket, made a flicking motion and threatened to stab him. Busse said that prompted him to retreat to his home and call police.

RCMP officers responded in three vehicles. Officers found Williams down the embankment, in Moccasin Flats, jumping up and down on a pallet and arrested him at gunpoint. They searched Williams and the vicinity, but could not locate a knife.

Busse agreed in cross-examination that the actions combined with the words caused him to perceive Williams had a knife.

Malfair said Williams was angry and the object could have been a knife. She was not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt because Williams did not wave, point or lunge with the object. Also, Williams did not flee or hide from police and a knife would not have been something to be casually discarded by someone in Williams’s economic circumstances.

Sentencing is to be scheduled.