Applause in Okotoks courtroom as charges dropped against man in rural shooting
OKOTOKS, Alta. — A courtroom erupted in cheers and applause Friday as all charges were dropped against a man accused of firing shots at suspected thieves on his rural property in southern Alberta.
The Crown withdrew charges that included aggravated assault and firearms offences against Edouard Maurice at a court appearance in Okotoks south of Calgary.
“The Crown’s obligation is always to review on an ongoing basis the strength of the case. In this case, information came to light and as a result there’s not a reasonable chance of conviction at this time,” said Crown prosecutor Jim Sawa.
“We’ve received information from a firearms expert and that information was compelling to say the least,” said Sawa, who wouldn’t reveal what the evidence was.