Charges still await transfer for Coutts conspiracy case

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on July 20, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Charges for three of the four men accused of conspiring to kill RCMP officers during the protest at the Coutts border earlier this year, are still waiting to be transferred to Court of Queen’s Bench.
Even though a trial date has been set in Court of Queen’s Bench for Anthony Olienick, Jerry Morin and Chris Carbert, to stand trial in June 2023, charges remain in Lethbridge provincial court awaiting transfer.
Provincial Crown Matt Dalidowicz appeared in Lethbridge provincial court Tuesday to once again seek an adjournment to give the court time for the matters to be transferred to the Court of Queen’s Bench indictment.

Dalidowicz said the process has started, but it needs some extra time to conclude.

He explained to Judge Erin Olsen that he wanted to make sure the process was fully transferred before making any decisions in regards to the provincial matters. 
”If I direct a stay of proceedings before process is formally transferred, we lose jurisdiction over the person,” said Dalidowicz.
All four men are, by direct indictment, to stand trial in Court of Queen’s Bench. Direct indictment, which was previously filed by the Crown, bypasses the defence option for a preliminary hearing. The accused were charged in February with conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and mischief by impeding the lawful use of property. A person found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder is liable to imprisonment for life.

The charges stem from alleged offences in the Village of Coutts during the border protest, when police seized numerous long guns, handguns, a machete, ammunition, high-capacity ammo magazines and body armour. Nine other individuals were also arrested in relation to the protest and charged with mischief by impeding the lawful use of property and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Ursula Allred, Johnson Chichow Law, Evan Colenutt, Justin Martin, Eastin Stewart Oler, Joanne Person, Janx Zaremba, Luke Berk, and Jaclyne Martin, were released shortly after their arrests. A lawyer representing Johnson Chichow Law was also in court Tuesday and his matter was adjourned to July 25, to be in front of Dalidowicz when he returns. 
Eastin Stewart Oler is set to appear in court Friday, Joanne Person’s next court hearing is set for July 25, and Janx Zaremba is set to stand trial on Dec. 6.
-with files from Delon Shurtz

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