Accused in Coutts protest case has bail conditions amended

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

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A southern Alberta man ordered not to have any contact with several individuals who were arrested during a protest near the Coutts border earlier this year, will be allowed to communicate with one of the co-accused.

Eastin Stewart Oler, who is charged with mischief to property and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, had been ordered not to have any contact with co-accused Ursula Allred, Luke Berk, Johnson Law, Justin Marten, Janx Zaremba, Evan Colenut, Jaclyne Martin, and Joanne Person, who face the same charges and have similar bail conditions. However, during a brief hearing Friday in Lethbridge provincial court, Oler’s bail conditions were amended to allow him contact with Zaremba.

“They work at the exact same employer, and right now they’ve been able to manipulate the schedule where one is in and one is out, but it’s causing difficulty,” explained Oler’s lawyer, Adriano Iovinelli of Calgary.

Crown Prosecutor Steven Johnston agreed with the amendment application, but told court the two accused won’t be able to have contact or communicate with each other until Zaremba’s lawyer, Darren Mahoney, makes the same application and a judge approves the proposed amendment.

“I have told Mr. Zaremba’s counsel that if he were to bring the application I would consent to it, but it hasn’t been brought,” Johnstson said.

Iovinelli added he also understands Mahoney wants to amend his client’s bail condition.

“We’ve been in contact with him; he wishes to make that application, but that’s his application to me.”

RCMP arrested the individuals Feb. 14 during the blockade of trucks and vehicles at the Coutts border, after becoming aware of a cache of firearms and ammunition. The protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions began late January and lasted until Feb. 15 when protestors began dispersing in response to the discovery of weapons.

Charges against two of the accused, Berk and Law, were stayed by the Crown last month. A stay of proceedings allows the Crown to halt legal proceedings against an accused, although the proceedings can recommence within a year should evidence warrant it.

Four others arrested during the protest – Chris Carbert, Christopher Lysak, Anthony Olienick and Jerry Morin – face an additional charge of conspiracy to commit murder, while Lysak also faces a charge of uttering threats. All four individuals have been denied bail in Court of Queen’s Bench.

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