Sentencing hearing begins for men convicted of leading Coutts blockade
CTV
A sentencing hearing is set to start today for three men convicted of helping co-ordinate a blockade at the Canada-U.S. border at Coutts, Alta., in protest of COVID-19 rules and restrictions.
A sentencing hearing is set to start today for three men convicted of helping co-ordinate a blockade at the Canada-U.S. border at Coutts, Alta., in protest of COVID-19 rules and restrictions.
Alex Van Herk, Marco Van Huigenbos and Gerhard (George) Janzen were each found guilty in April of mischief over $5,000.
They were charged for their roles in the blockade that tied up cross-border traffic for two weeks in early 2022.
Defence lawyers didn't call evidence during the trial, and the three accused didn't testify.
Mounties told the jury that, as the protest dragged on, officers increasingly turned to the men to negotiate.
The Crown argued the trio became the faces of the blockade and spoke on behalf of protesters.
"They are not some mere messengers. They use the words, ‘We, our and us,'" prosecutor Steven Johnston told the trial.
