Lethbridge Courthouse, file photo. (Image: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

Warrant issued after accused fails to attend trial in Lethbridge

Sep 6, 2022 | 10:37 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The trial for a Southern Alberta woman accused of trying to move animals through the mail did not happen as planned.

Jill Marshall, 56, of Vulcan County, was scheduled to have a one-day trial in Lethbridge Provincial Court on Tuesday, September 6, 2022.

She faces one count of causing animals to be in distress under Alberta’s Animal Protection Act.

Marshall contacted a former lawyer of hers earlier that morning to inform him that she would be unable to attend court and asked that the lawyer request an adjournment for her trial.

Court officials contacted Marshall over the phone and asked if she would be able to make it in for her trial. Marshall said she would not be able to come in due to being sick and that she was not adequately dressed for a court appearance.

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Marshall was under the impression that she would be able to partake over Webex video conferencing, but due to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions earlier this year, trial participants must appear in person.

Justice Auger reminded Marshall that this was the fourth time a trial date had been scheduled and she would not tolerate another adjournment.

An unendorsed warrant was issued for Marshall, meaning she must either turn herself in to the Vulcan RCMP detachment or have police come to her home.

Marshall was arrested and charged in May 2019.