The jury trial of three men charged with murder and conspiracy in relation to a blockade at Coutts, Alberta, is set to resume this week.
The trial, which began on April 26, was put on hold due to a COVID-19 outbreak at the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, where the accused are being held.
The three men, 33-year-old Colton Lewis, 31-year-old Joshua Petrin, and 29-year-old Jorden Oberle, are facing charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the death of 43-year-old Ryan Watson.
Watson was found dead on December 7, 2018, at a blockade set up by protesters at the Coutts border crossing. The blockade was in response to the arrest of a woman accused of smuggling guns into Canada.
The trial is expected to resume on Wednesday, May 12, with the Crown calling its first witness. The trial is being held at the Lethbridge courthouse and is expected to last for several weeks.
During the trial, the jury will hear evidence from witnesses and experts, including forensic evidence and surveillance footage. The accused have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Crown has stated that it will be seeking a conviction of first-degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.
The defence has not yet presented its case, but has indicated that it will be calling witnesses to testify on behalf of the accused.
The trial has garnered significant media attention, with many following the case closely. The outcome of this trial will have a significant impact on the community and the families of both the accused and the victim.
As the trial resumes, the court will continue to ensure that all necessary precautions are taken to protect the health and safety of all involved, including the jury, witnesses, and legal teams.
The jury will ultimately be responsible for determining the guilt or innocence of the accused, based on the evidence presented in court. The trial will continue to unfold in the coming weeks, and the verdict will be eagerly awaited by all those involved.
