The trial for two men charged with conspiracy to commit murder at the Coutts blockade is set to begin today.
The accused, 38-year-old John Doe and 42-year-old Jane Smith, were arrested in December 2020 after an investigation by the Alberta RCMP’s Major Crimes Unit.
According to police, the investigation began after a tip was received about a potential plot to harm individuals at the Coutts blockade, which was set up by Indigenous land defenders in response to the construction of the Coastal GasLink pipeline in British Columbia.
The blockade, located near the Alberta-Montana border, has been in place since February 2020 and has been a site of ongoing tensions between land defenders and law enforcement.
Doe and Smith are facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, as well as weapons-related charges. They have both pleaded not guilty.
The trial is expected to last several weeks and will be held at the Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench.
The Crown prosecutor has stated that they will be presenting evidence that the accused were planning to use firearms to harm individuals at the blockade.
The defence lawyers for Doe and Smith have argued that there is no evidence to support these allegations and that their clients are being unfairly targeted due to their involvement in the blockade.
The trial is expected to bring attention to the ongoing tensions between Indigenous land defenders and the Canadian government over resource development projects on Indigenous land.
The Coutts blockade has been a site of peaceful protest and resistance, with land defenders calling for the protection of their land and water.
The outcome of this trial will have significant implications for the future of Indigenous land rights and the use of force against peaceful protesters.
As the trial begins, both sides are preparing to present their arguments and evidence to the court. The accused will have the opportunity to defend themselves against the charges, while the Crown will seek to prove their guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The trial is expected to be closely watched by both Indigenous communities and the general public, as it raises important questions about the rights of Indigenous peoples and the use of force in response to peaceful protests.
We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as the trial progresses.
