The former leader of the Manitoba Bandidos motorcycle gang was taken out of court on a stretcher Tuesday, just moments after he lost his fight for a reduced prison sentence and launched into a bizarre outburst.
Ron Burling was livid after the Manitoba Court of Appeal decided to uphold his eight-year sentence for kidnapping and torturing a rival drug dealer. He claimed the penalty was overly harsh and unfair.
According to witnesses, Burling began yelling at two prosecutors and vowed to "see you when I get out in 10 years." He also called them "(expletive) clowns."
Burling continued his tirade as sheriff's officers led him out of court. He reached down in an attempt to flip over a large public bench in the hallway, but was quickly subdued and brought to the ground. Burling then began clutching his chest, yelling "my heart, my heart," witnesses said.
Paramedics rushed to the scene, and Burling was taken to hospital. Defence lawyer Mike Cook said his heavy-set client may have suffered a heart attack, although Burling never lost consciousness.
"He told me he's had a heart condition for the past few years," said Cook, who was waiting to get a medical update late Tuesday, but believed Burling was going to be fine.
"As he was being wheeled away, he asked me if I had his sunglasses. I figured that was a good sign."
Burling reacted with anger during his sentencing hearing last year, shouting something about "baby killers only getting three years" as he was led out of court by a parade of sheriff's officers.
Burling also launched a profanity-laced tirade after jurors found him guilty at trial, vowing the notorious biker gang was here to stay.
"The Bandidos aren't (expletive) going anywhere. God forgives. The Bandidos doesn't," he yelled.
Burling's eight-year sentence is in addition to the nine-year penalty he is currently serving for a home invasion in which he accidentally shot himself in the foot.
Queen's Bench Justice Holly Beard ruled last year that Burling was clearly the mastermind behind the well-planned attack, in which the victim and his girlfriend were held for several hours and tortured by numerous gangsters.
Adam Curwin, Billy Joe Ducharme and Daniel Pereira were given six-year sentences, while Daniel Blair received four years. Two other accused -- Jason Michel and David Rink -- pleaded guilty after striking deals with the Crown in exchange for their testimony. Michel got four years custody, while Rink received a two-year conditional sentence.
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