Christopher Lysak, one of four accused of attempted murder of members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in connection with the Coutts protests, has expressed impatience as the Crown has not yet set a date for his trial.
The time has come. It was in these terms that the lawyer for Christopher Lysak, 48, and one of four men accused of wanting to attempt to revive the police. RCMP during demonstrations in Coutts, Alberta, spoke Monday in court in Lethbridge.
He told the court his client was disappointed that his trial dates had not been set.
We have been trying to set a trial date since he was incarcerated. Now is the time to do somethingsaid Jim Lutz, after his client’s appearance.
In three previous appearances of his client, attorney Jim Lutz tried to suggest a trial date, but the Crown did not act on his request.
The four defendants will be tried together
During the hearing on April 25 in Lethbridge court, prosecutors Aaron Rankin and Matt Dalidowicz announced that Chris Carbert, Anthony Olienick, Jerry Morin and Christopher Lysak would be tried together.
In February, during demonstrations against sanitation measures and blockades in Coutts, the RCMP raided trailers near the protest site on the Canada-US border. This search resulted in the discovery and seizure of a cache of weapons and bulletproof vests.
The charges were filed on Feb. 14 following these discoveries and seizures.
The four men were charged with conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a weapon and mischief.
The Crown will proceed by direct indictment
On Monday, Court of Queen’s Bench Judge Dallas Miller told prosecutor Steven Johnston to be prepared to set dates for his client’s trial at his next appearance on June 13th.
The Court of Queen’s Bench prosecutor told the court that the Crown would proceed with the direct indictment, meaning there would be no prior inquiry.
Christopher Lysak is in custody pending trial, as a court denied him parole in March.
The bail hearing for Chris Carbert, 44, is scheduled to take place next week. Jerry Morin, 40, is set for June 24.
Source: Radio-Canada
