Deterrent sentence possible, expert says, after trio convicted in connection to Coutts border blockade
Three men who helped lead and co-ordinate the 2022 border blockade at Coutts, Alta., have been found guilty of public mischief.
A Lethbridge jury wasted no time delivering the verdict in front of a crowd of the men's supporters.
In 2022, during a protest over COVID restrictions, Gerhard (George) Janzen told CTV News cameras he was prepared to sacrifice a lot for the Coutts movement.
"I'm ready to go to jail for what's right. I'm ready for it," he said at the time.
Two years later and 100 kilometres down the road, jail time is a very real possibility.
Janzen, Alex Van Herk and Marco Van Huigenbos have been found guilty of mischief over $5,000.
Three hours is all it took for a jury to come to the decision, which was met with gasps of surprise by a courtroom full of protest supporters.
"I may be guilty, but I'm not gone," Van Huigenbos said.
"We were there to hold government accountable. The accountability fight goes on. It's never done."
Van Herk in a statement thanked the jury for fulfilling their oaths.
"We'll see how that plays out in terms of other cases down the road when people want to protest against certain government decisions," said Trevor Harrison, University of Lethbridge political scientist.
The maximum sentence for public mischief over $5,000 is 10 years in prison, and some predict a deterrent sentence could be handed down to send a message.
"Given that we're likely to see more protests in the future around other issues," Harrison said.
In its argument, the Crown claimed the evidence shows all three men were key players and became faces of the blockade.
A pre-sentence report has been ordered, and this case will appear again on July 22.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Wildfire that forced evacuation of Fort Nelson, B.C., caused by tree falling on wires, mayor says
The wildfire that prompted the evacuation of more than 3,000 people near Fort Nelson, B.C., was caused by a tree falling on wires, according to the municipality's mayor.
Couple randomly attacked, 1 stabbed, by group of teens in Toronto, police say
A man has been transported to hospital after police say he was stabbed in a random attack carried out by a group of teens in Toronto on Friday night.
Eurovision Song Contest final kicks off after protests, backstage chaos and a contestant's expulsion
The final of the 68th Eurovision Song Contest kicked off Saturday in the Swedish city of Malmo after days of protests and offstage drama that have tipped the feelgood musical celebration into a chaotic pressure cooker overshadowed by the war in Gaza.
IN PICTURES Northern lights dance across the night sky in southern Ont.
From London, to Grand Bend, Collingwood and Guelph, here are some highlights of Friday night and Saturday morning's northern lights display.
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with Maple Leafs, dead at 79
Ron Ellis, who played over 1,000 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and was a member of Canada's team at the 1972 Summit Series, has died at age 79.
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
opinion How to use your credit card as a powerful wealth-building tool
Irresponsibly using a credit card can land you in financial trouble, but personal finance columnist Christopher Liew says when used properly, it can be a powerful wealth-building tool that can help grow your credit profile and create new opportunities.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Haitians demand the resignation and arrest of the country's police chief after a new gang attack
A growing number of civilians and police officers are demanding the dismissal and arrest of Haiti's police chief as heavily armed gangs launched a new attack in the capital of Port-au-Prince, seizing control of yet another police station early Saturday.