UPDATES (Day 2): Trial of man accused of driving at RCMP during Coutts blockade
Last year, as the Freedom Convoy protest happened in Ottawa, another like-minded protest sprung up at the Coutts, Alberta-Sweet Grass, Montana border crossing.
There, protesters shut down the Canada-U.S. border crossing with a peaceful demonstration demanding an end to COVID-19 restrictions and mandates.
As the federal government began to invoke the Emergencies Act, the Coutts border blockade was brought to an end after a small group of the protesters were arrested on serious allegations by the RCMP.
One individual detained in the Coutts protest was James Sowery, who is accused of speeding at officers near a checkpoint close to the blockade. Sowery is being represented by The Democracy Fund, a registered Canadian charity. To support his legal defence with a tax-receipt eligible donation, visit TruckerLawyer.ca.
Watch this video below for more background on the case, and for a recap of the first day of the trial.
Rebel News' Syd Fizzard is covering Sowery's five day trial, and is providing live updates on day two as they happen. Follow along below:
RCMP witness says Sowery was driving towards him (and the checkstop), says the truck kept going "faster and faster", says at one point it was obvious he wasn't going to stop. Vehicle hit a pylon by the cop car, kept driving. Witness asked on the radio if they should go after him.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
Jury has been seated in the courtroom, prosecutor is asking to detail the incident with Sowery.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
MORE: https://t.co/FgSvcLfPNy
4th RCMP witness was checking on traffic and sobriety. Northbound traffic wasn't busy, especially compared to the weekend, this witness says.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
MORE: https://t.co/FgSvcLfPNy
Prosecutor asking the 4th RCMP witness to detail events, such as the placement of pylons, the enforcement plans, and the purpose of the checkpoints. "Who put those cones there?" "I did"
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
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Defence wrapped up with 3rd RCMP witness quickly, 4th RCMP witness now being asked q's by prosecutor. His first day on site was the morning of Feb 12th, and worked at checkstop 14 on Feb 14th, day of the incident.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
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3rd RCMP witness did not see the incident with Sowery, but was in attendance around 10 mins after. Pulled the traumatized officer off the scene to make sure he was okay and able to make notes of the incident (same officer who was tearing up).
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
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2nd RCMP witness is free to go, on to 3rd RCMP witness.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
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Sowery's lawyer now asking q's of the 2nd RCMP witness. Truck was pulled over within 1km by this witness, no issues pulling over, and Sowery put his hands up, officer agrees Sowery was being fully compliant through their entire interaction.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
MORE: https://t.co/FgSvcLfhY0
Prosecutor asks the RCMP witness about the demeanor of his colleague after the incident, he was shaken up, crying.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
MORE: https://t.co/FgSvcLfhY0
Second RCMP witness expressed concern that the officer Sowery was getting closer to on the highway, may have been in very close proximity to Sowery's truck when it passed.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
MORE: https://t.co/FgSvcLfhY0
...This witness then chased after, got to Sowery who was submitting himself, and saw the situation as a high risk take-down, had his weapon drawn.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
MORE: https://t.co/FgSvcLfhY0
Prosecutor asks the second RCMP witness to detail the incident. Truck was there 15-20 mins, then began to speed up, officer says the truck was approaching a fellow officer, then sees pieces of the pylon, says that officer went for the radio...
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
Second RCMP witness now answering to the prosecutor, who is going over details of the event. This officer was in the southbound lane, the incident happened in the northbound lane.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
MORE: https://t.co/FgSvcLfhY0
Defence for Sowery asked two quick questions to the first RCMP officer, and now the second officer has taken to the stand.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
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Court is back in session, jurors are in, first RCMP witness is being recalled briefly.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
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Court is now adjourned, waiting on one juror to return.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
They have now shown up, court should resume shortly.
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Defence lawyer finished with her q's, now adjourned for lunch.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
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Defence asks 1st RCMP witness about the BOLO(be on look out) for a dangerous vehicle in the area, witness can't recall any previous BOLO's during her time at the blockade.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
More at https://t.co/FgSvcLfPNy
Sowery's defence asks the officer if Sowery pulled over quickly, answer was yes, he was on the ground getting cuffed when this witness approached the scene.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
More at https://t.co/FgSvcLfPNy
Prosecutor tried to ask the first RCMP witness to speak broadly about this situation, Judge intervened and said this wasn't the time for an open mic, and that the prosecutor should have questions at this time, prosecutor then ended his questions.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
More at https://t.co/FgSvcLfPNy
First RCMP witness is now describing some of the photos she took from the blockade. Prosecutor asks about the location of the pylon related to the incident.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
More at https://t.co/FgSvcLfPNy
First RCMP witness asked if there was anything unusual that day, says she was on the lookout for a vehicle that may have been seeking to shoot up police.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
More at https://t.co/FgSvcLfPNy
First RCMP officer being sworn in, now being questioned by the prosecutor.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
More at https://t.co/FgSvcLfPNy
Prosecutor is now running through his binder with the agreed statement of facts (exhibit 1), that the judge and jurors are now receiving.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
More at https://t.co/FgSvcLfPNy
Adjourned 15 mins
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
Sowery pleads not guilty of assault with a weapon and dangerous driving in front of the jury.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
More at https://t.co/FgSvcLfPNy
In a few minutes the jury will enter the courtroom for James Sowery's trial.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
More at https://t.co/FgSvcLfhY0
& just to clarify, the weapon was his vehicle.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
More at https://t.co/FgSvcLfPNy
I'm in Lethbridge covering the 5 day trial of James Sowery, charged with dangerous driving and assault with a weapon after a traffic incident near Milk River, the same day many decided to peacefully depart. @TDF_Can is crowdfunding his legal defence.
— Syd Fizzard 🍁 (@SydFizzard) March 21, 2023
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