Warrant issued after court no-show

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on April 6, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A Lethbridge man who was expected to resolve several criminal charges this week, had a warrant issued for his arrest after he failed to show up for his court appearance on Tuesday.
When Gerald David Thurber failed to show, his lawyer, Brad Kraus of Calgary, asked to withdraw as defence counsel, and said he had not heard from his client since they had conversed by text messages earlier in the morning, when Thurber said he would attend court.
“Mr. Thurber was ordered to be here in person today to resolve the matters before the court,” Kraus told the judge. “I’ve made repeated efforts to contact him; texting him, calling him, leaving him messages. I’m simply out of options here, sir.”
Thurber was facing nearly 50 charges, primarily for possession of stolen property. However, the charges were previously consolidated into four charges of possession of stolen property over $5,000, and one count each of possession of stolen property under $5,000, making or possessing identity documents, and drug possession.
Thurber was expected to resolve those charges last month with a different lawyer, and a trial date had even been cancelled in anticipation the matters would be resolved. But during a hearing March 11 the Lethbridge lawyer was allowed to withdraw after court was told a conflict had developed and the lawyer could no longer represent the accused.
Crown Prosecutor Adam Zelmer pointed out during the hearing March 11 that there had been pre-trial conferences and extensive resolution discussions, which resulted in the cancellation of the trial and a considerable reduction in charges. He warned Thurber that the deal made with his lawyer would not be extended to his new lawyer if it was not accepted at a subsequent hearing.
Thurber was charged nearly two years ago after RCMP recovered stolen property they found in a Coaldale storage unit.
Coaldale RCMP, following up on information they received from a local business, searched the storage unit in June 2020 and discovered more than $100,000 worth of stolen property. Police reported the property was stolen from area break-ins or obtained by identity theft through fraudulent use of a credit card.
The stolen property included two cargo trailers,15 welders, a $9,000 wicker patio set, various power tools, air compressors, a snow blower, ladders, new light fixtures, generators and RV accessories. Most of the stolen property was returned to the owners.
Police said the offences were committed in several areas, including Bassano, Coaldale, Lethbridge County, Lethbridge and Taber.

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