BREAKING: Alberta gov't seeks to delay trial of Pastor James Coates until summer

By Rebel News
|
April 07, 2021

By Sheila Gunn Reid

PETITION: Free Pastor James

Pastor James Coates was held for nearly five weeks on charges related to his refusal to turn congregants away from GraceLife Church. Pastor Coates still has one final hurdle to clear when his charge for violating health restrictions heads to court in May. Please sign our petition if you agree that all the charges should be dropped.

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The legal team representing Pastor James Coates is reporting that a Crown prosecutor for the Alberta government is attempting to push the pastor's trial until the summertime.

The pastor was held for 35 days at the Edmonton Remand Centre for allegedly violating public health protocols by refusing to turn worshippers away from his GraceLife Church.

According to a news release from the Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms,

The [JCCF] is in the process of filing a subpoena to require Alberta Chief Medical Officer Dr. Deena Hinshaw to testify at the trial of Pastor Coates on May 3, 2021. The Alberta Government Crown Prosecutor is requesting the Court adjourn the May 3 trial, claiming the government needs until summer to assemble its evidence.

Local RCMP and private security were directed to fence off the church property early this morning, and personnel are still on the scene.

GraceLife is being walled off by two layers of security fencing and a black tarp to obscure the entrance to the church.

RCMP and private Paladin security are here.

RCMP have no documentation to present to the church re:closure, but are keeping members off the property. pic.twitter.com/68E7ntCHVp
— Sheila Gunn Reid (@SheilaGunnReid) April 7, 2021