A day of expected evidence in the Coutts blockade conspiracy trial was replaced by legal discussions behind closed doors. Anthony Olienick and Chris Carbert face charges of plotting to murder during the 2022 protest, where RCMP discovered weapons and ammunition in trailers. The trial is scheduled to continue on Monday.
A prospective juror for a murder-conspiracy trial involving two men charged in connection with the 2022 Coutts border blockade was excused after he appeared in court wearing a T-shirt with the faces of the accused printed on it. During the jury selection process, several other potential jurors were also excused for various reasons, including a man who works overnight shifts and a woman who had a non-refundable trip booked to Europe.
A 14-year veteran of overnight shifts said he wouldn’t be able to stay awake, while another potential juror was excused due to bias because his brother was a police officer. The woman who was excused due to her upcoming trip burst into tears of joy when the judge granted her request.
After a four-hour proceeding, a jury of five men and nine women was selected to preside over the trial, which is scheduled to begin later this week. The accused, Anthony Olienick and Chris Carbert, are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder of police officers, mischief, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.
