Suspects in alleged Coutts blockade murder plot plead not guilty

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LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — Two men accused of conspiracy to commit murder during the Coutts, Alta., border blockade pleaded not guilty on the first day of their jury trial.

Anthony Olienick and Chris Carbert were arrested in 2022 after RCMP found a cache of guns, body armor and ammunition in trailers.

They are also accused of mischief and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

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Olienick faces an additional charge of possession of a pipe bomb.

Crown prosecutors said they plan to call 23 witnesses during the trial, most of them members of the RCMP.

The blockade, part of protests across the country against COVID-19 vaccination mandates, paralyzed the busy Canada-U.S. border crossing for more than two weeks.

Judge David Labrenz asked jurors to disregard their beliefs and avoid jumping to conclusions during the trial.

“Perceptions can create bias,” he said.

“You will be asked to judge this fairly. It is your duty to put aside all these prejudices.

He said the trial could continue until mid-July.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 6, 2024.

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