Stolen property case approaching Jordan decision deadline

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on September 9, 2022.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

The case against a 54-year-old Lethbridge man accused of possessing property stolen from several southern Alberta communities, has been adjourned once again.

The matter for Gerald David Thurber was in Lethbridge provincial court Thursday, where Lethbridge lawyer Justin Dean appeared as agent for Lethbridge lawyer Greg White, and asked the court for an adjournment to Sept. 29 as White was unable to have a pre-trial conference with his client and there is a two-day trial estimate for the matter.

He said White hopes to be able to have a pre-trial conference in the intervening weeks.

Thurber has adjourned this matters over 30 times since he was charged more than two years ago.

Thurber who is now in custody for unrelated offences, had his attendance waived by Dean.

Crown prosecutor Clayton Giles told the court that if his friend was prepared to waive Jordon for that period, he would feel more inclined to consent.

“This matter is two years old, we are getting close to the Jordon deadline considering this is a 30 month case,” said Giles.

Judge G.S Maxwell indicated for the sake of the record that this was a defence request for an adjournment until Sept. 29 and he directed that a pre-trial conference had to be held in the interim.

Thurber was expected to schedule a trial date on four counts 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.

Those charges relate to offences in 2020.

Thurber was facing nearly 50 charges, primarily for possession of stolen property, but the charges were previously consolidated into four counts 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.

The accused was expected to resolve those charges in March, but with a different lawyer, and a trial was cancelled in anticipation the matters would be resolved. But during a hearing March 11 Thurber’s previous lawyer was allowed to withdraw after court was told a conflict had developed and the lawyer could no longer represent the accused.

Calgary lawyer Brad Kraus was retained shortly afterward, but he withdrew in April after the accused failed to attend court, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The following month Kraus was back in court representing Thurber again and said at that time he still hoped to resolve all of his client’s charges. However, during a brief hearing on June 28, Kraus said Thurber no longer wanted his help and would have to hire a new lawyer.

Thurber was charged two years ago after police 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 said 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.

– with files from Delon Shurtz

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