The other three were denied bail earlier this year. Jerry Morin appeared on CCTV, apologizing for his unshaven appearance, explaining that he had been “in the hole for the last week”. Morin cried several times during his court appearance Monday, including when lawyers discussed a possible restraining order against his girlfriend after a judge refused to release him. In the end, prosecutor Matt Dalindovich agreed to leave Jacqueline Martin’s name off the no-contact list, which includes the other 12 people charged over the Coutts Crossing protests in January and February this year. Queen’s Bench Justice Johnna Kubik denied Morin’s release after hearing motions from Dalidowicz and defense attorney Greg Dunn on June 30. All of the judge’s arguments, evidence and reasons for detention are protected by a publication ban.
Connection with a far-right militia
Morin, Chris Lysak, Chris Carbert and Anthony Olienick face charges of conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a weapon and mischief. They were charged in February after raids on trailers parked near the protest site resulted in RCMP seizing a cache of weapons, armor and ammunition. Some of the confiscated armor had patches belonging to a far-right militia called Diagolon. The trial of the four men is scheduled for June 2023. All four have now been refused bail pending trial. Ten others, including Martin, face less serious charges related to the protests.
‘This is war’
In a video titled “Call to Action” and posted on Morin’s Facebook page the day before his arrest, he called Coutts’ situation a “war” and encouraged others to join the fight. In the video, Morin and Martin — who faces a charge of mischief over $5,000 — invite people to come to Coutts to join the boycott. “Come on down tonight, there are no excuses, this is war,” he says. “Your country needs you now more than ever.”
