[url]https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/alberta/article-jury-hears-closing-arguments-in-coutts-highway-blockade-trial/[/url]
Three men found guilty of mischief in 2022 border blockade at Coutts, Alta.
The three men on trial in Alberta for their roles in the highway blockade in protest of government-ordered restrictions during the pandemic have been found guilty on a charge of mischief over $5,000.
The jury convicted Marco Van Huigenbos, Alex Van Herk and George Janzen around 8:30 p.m. in a Lethbridge courtroom. The six men and six women deliberated for a little more than four hours Tuesday evening. The trio were free to leave and will be sentenced at a later date. They face up to 10 years in jail.
Justice Keith Yamauchi, prior to the jury delivering its verdict, warned the gallery to maintain decorum and cautioned he would have anyone disrespecting his order escorted out. The men’s supporters stayed silent as the jury foreman delivered the three guilty verdicts.
Mr. Van Herk’s lawyer requested the jury be polled and, one by one, each member confirmed they agreed with the decision with respect to Mr. Van Herk.
The Crown accused the three men of being ringleaders at the two-week blockade on Highway 4 at Coutts, a village on the Canada-U.S. border, in 2022. The protest emerged in tandem with the convoy that paralyzed Ottawa as Canadians frustrated with government-imposed restrictions tied to COVID blocked streets around Parliament Hill.
The men’s lawyers argued they did not direct or control the protestors at Coutts.
Outside the courthouse, Mr. Van Herk and Mr. Van Huigenbos said they do not expect to appeal the decision. Mr. Janzen declined to comment.
“Let’s hope they put us in the same spot,” Mr. Van Huigenbos said to Mr. Janzen as they hugged.
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Three men found guilty of mischief in 2022 border blockade at Coutts, Alta.
The three men on trial in Alberta for their roles in the highway blockade in protest of government-ordered restrictions during the pandemic have been found guilty on a charge of mischief over $5,000.
The jury convicted Marco Van Huigenbos, Alex Van Herk and George Janzen around 8:30 p.m. in a Lethbridge courtroom. The six men and six women deliberated for a little more than four hours Tuesday evening. The trio were free to leave and will be sentenced at a later date. They face up to 10 years in jail.
Justice Keith Yamauchi, prior to the jury delivering its verdict, warned the gallery to maintain decorum and cautioned he would have anyone disrespecting his order escorted out. The men’s supporters stayed silent as the jury foreman delivered the three guilty verdicts.
Mr. Van Herk’s lawyer requested the jury be polled and, one by one, each member confirmed they agreed with the decision with respect to Mr. Van Herk.
The Crown accused the three men of being ringleaders at the two-week blockade on Highway 4 at Coutts, a village on the Canada-U.S. border, in 2022. The protest emerged in tandem with the convoy that paralyzed Ottawa as Canadians frustrated with government-imposed restrictions tied to COVID blocked streets around Parliament Hill.
The men’s lawyers argued they did not direct or control the protestors at Coutts.
Outside the courthouse, Mr. Van Herk and Mr. Van Huigenbos said they do not expect to appeal the decision. Mr. Janzen declined to comment.
“Let’s hope they put us in the same spot,” Mr. Van Huigenbos said to Mr. Janzen as they hugged.
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