Lawyer for Coutts protester suggests jury rushed to judgment before long weekend
The lawyer for a man convicted of mischief for his actions at the Coutts border blockade drew the ire of a judge Monday by suggesting jurors rushed to a verdict because they were in a hurry to get out before the August long weekend.
Marilyn Burns also drew criticism from the Crown prosecutor when she hinted the jurors were culturally biased when they convicted Anthony Olienick on a firearms possession charge.
Burns’ comments came in Court of King’s Bench as lawyers on both sides and Justice David Labrenz began discussing what facts should be considered in determining a fit sentence for Olienick and Chris Carbert.
Earlier this month, a jury convicted Olienick and Carbert of mischief and possession of a firearm for a dangerous purpose for their role at the Coutts border blockade in early 2022.