After a lengthy trial, a group of protesters accused of conspiring to kill Mounties at a blockade in Coutts have been found not guilty.
The verdict was delivered by a jury on Friday, following a three-week trial at the Lethbridge courthouse.
The group of protesters, who were part of a demonstration against the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline, were arrested in December 2018 after allegedly planning to use firearms and explosives to harm RCMP officers at the blockade.
However, the jury found that there was not enough evidence to prove that the protesters had conspired to commit murder.
During the trial, the defense argued that the group’s actions were peaceful and that they had no intention of harming anyone.
The prosecution, on the other hand, claimed that the protesters had a clear plan to use violence against the RCMP officers.
Despite the not guilty verdict, the judge reminded the protesters that their actions were not without consequences and that they should have expressed their grievances in a lawful manner.
The verdict has sparked mixed reactions, with some praising the justice system for protecting the rights of peaceful protesters, while others criticize the decision, stating that it sets a dangerous precedent for future demonstrations.
The Crown has not yet announced whether they will be appealing the verdict.
The protesters have been released from custody and are now free to return to their homes.
This case serves as a reminder of the importance of peaceful and lawful protests, as well as the responsibility of the justice system to carefully examine all evidence before reaching a verdict.
