Crown looks to fast-track Coutts blockade trials

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on May 10, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

Four men charged with conspiracy to commit murder at the Coutts border protest earlier this year are being fast-tracked to trial.
The matter for one of the men, 48-year-old Christopher Lysak, was in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench Monday, where Crown Prosecutor Steven Johnston said he has preferred a direct indictment for the accused and plans to do the same for the other three accused, Chris Carbert, Anthony Olienick and Jerry Morin.
A direct indictment, which must be approved by the attorney general, allows the Crown to move a matter directly to trial without first having a preliminary hearing.
“The Crown has preferred a direct indictment in this matter and it also joins three other gentlemen with the same person,” Johnston told Justice Dallas Miller.
Lysak, who previously chose to be tried by a judge and jury, is also charged with uttering threats, possession of a weapon and mischief to property over $5000. He was denied bail March 2.
Carbert, Olienick and Morin also remain in custody as they wait for bail hearings. Lysak’s lawyer, Jim Lutz of Calgary, said he has been ready to set a trial date for about a month, and expressed his disappointment that he couldn’t schedule a date during Monday’s court hearing.
Johnston said he expects to set a trial date for Lysak, and hopefully for the others, when their matters return to court June 13.
“When I sent an email to my friends on Friday – this includes Mr. Lutz and the other counsel for the other gentlemen – I indicated that I gave a Crown trial estimation, so hopefully on the 13th we will be in a position to set dates; but I obviously can’t speak to people who are not here.”
Miller agreed to the adjournment, but told Johnston he expects the Crown to take a step next month.
“Crown, please be prepared with available dates for all matters in order that the matter can be set for trial on June 13,” Miller ordered.
The protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other restrictions began at the Coutts border in late January and concluded in mid-February at about the time the four accused were arrested.
Thirteen people were charged after RCMP seized long guns, handguns, ammunition, high-capacity magazines, body armour and a machete. Police said at the time they had identified a group of people at the protest that was willing to use force if the blockade was disrupted.

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