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By Canadian Press

Crown wants direct indictment for one man charged in Coutts blockade

May 9, 2022 | 3:58 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – It appears the Crown will attempt to streamline the cases of four men charged with conspiracy to commit murder at a border blockade protest in southern Alberta.

Prosecutor Steven Johnston told court in Lethbridge today that the Crown is preparing a direct indictment for Christopher Lysak, who has already waived his right to a preliminary hearing so his trial can go ahead.

Johnston says the indictment will be ready at Lysak’s next court appearance on June 13.

Also on that day, the cases of co-accused Anthony Olienick, Chris Carbert and Jerry Morin are to be linked, so that all four can be tried at the same time.

Johnston didn’t confirm whether the Crown will be seeking direct indictments for the others.

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A protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates and other pandemic restrictions began at the Alberta-U.S. border crossing near Coutts in late January and lasted for almost three weeks.

Fourteen people were charged after R-C-M-P found a cache of long guns, handguns, body armour, large amounts of ammunition and high-capacity magazines in three trailers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2022.

The Canadian Press