Dangerous driving trial set for 2023 for Coutts protester

By Delon Shurtz - Lethbridge Herald on August 20, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com

A southern Alberta woman facing several charges in relation to the protest and blockade near the Coutts border in January and February, will stand trial on one of her charges next year.

Joanne Person is scheduled for trial Feb. 16-17, 2023 on one charge of dangerous driving. The trial was set Friday in Lethbridge provincial court, where an agent appeared on behalf of Person’s lawyer, Kelsey Sitar of Calgary.

The charge stems from an incident Feb. 1 when a pickup truck drove through the blockade and headed toward oncoming traffic before becoming involved in a head-on collision.

Person also faces charges of mischief and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, on which she represents herself. Those charges return to court Aug. 26 to allow her time to meet with the Crown prosecutor and discuss possible early case resolution. Person previously elected to be tried by a Court of Queen’s Bench judge and jury.

RCMP arrested Person during the blockade of trucks and vehicles at the Coutts border, after police became aware of a cache of firearms and ammunition. Eight other individuals were also charged with mischief and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and released on bail several months ago. Charges against two of the accused were stayed last month, while the remaining accused are scheduled for court appearances in September. One of the accused is set for trial in December.

Four other individuals face the same charges plus a charge of conspiracy to commit murder. They have been detained following bail hearings in Court of Queen’s Bench.

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.

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