Lethbridge Courthouse. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko/LethbridgeNewsNOW

Two accused in Coutts convoy elect jury trials

May 17, 2022 | 8:51 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Two people charged in connection to alleged offenses during the Coutts border blockade have taken significant steps in Lethbridge Provincial Court.

On Monday, Joanne Person, 62, of Coutts, elected to be tried by a judge and jury.

She was among a group of 14 people arrested on Feb. 14.

Person, who is representing herself in court, is charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, mischief over $5,000, and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Person attempted to make a couple of applications in Provincial Court, although she will have to wait until she can appear in Court of Queen’s Bench for those to be dealt with. She asked for the requirement that jury members be vaccinated against COVID-19 to be waived. She told court that because the protest was in opposition to COVID-19 vaccine mandates, requiring all jurors to be vaccinated could potentially add bias against her.

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Members from five media outlets had previously asked that the RCMP documents outlining the reasons for executing search warrants against the protesters be released. Person is opposed to that, claiming that she has already received threats from the public.

Also in court on Monday, Janx Zaremba, 19, of Raymond, entered pleas of not guilty to one count each of possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose and mischief over $5,000.

A lawyer speaking on Zaremba’s behalf elected a judge and jury trial, which will be conducted separately from Person’s trial.

Trial dates have yet to be set for either of the accused.

Several others charged in relation to the Coutts border blockade also appeared in Lethbridge Provincial Court, most of whom had their matters adjourned to May 27.