Emerson faces 83 charges for bomb, powder threats
A scheduled bail hearing for Alexa Emerson, the woman facing numerous charges for allegedly sending bomb threats and white powder packages to schools and businesses in and around Saskatoon, did not go ahead on Thursday after her third lawyer withdrew from the case.
Lisa Watson said there was a conflict of interest because she knows someone involved in the case.
“This is a unique situation in that there are so many witnesses involved, businesses involved,” Watson said outside Saskatoon provincial court.
“It’s not usual that there would need to be so many lawyers, however, it’s not strange given these circumstances when there’s just so many people involved.”
Emerson also has a connection to the Saskatoon legal aid office and therefore cannot be represented by any of its lawyers, Watson said, adding the office is in the process of finding Emerson private counsel.
Appearing in court with her hair in a ponytail and wearing glasses, Emerson, who previously went by the name Amanda Totchek, was presented with her new charges in connection with bomb threats sent out across the city last month.
They include six counts of uttering threats that were sent to Aden Bowman Collegiate, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, Ernst & Young, the Saskatoon Health Region, Global News and the University of Saskatchewan between April 11 and 26.
Emerson is also now charged with uttering threats and public mischief after a white powder package was sent to Hague school on March 17, public mischief in connection with a video sent to Hague school on April 11 and another count of uttering threats to bomb the same school on April 25.
An additional uttering threats charge was read out Thursday in connection with a bomb threat sent to Warman High School on April 26.
No explosive devices were found in any of the locations. The bomb threats were made while Emerson was in custody at Pine Grove Correctional Centre.
Her charges date back to November 2016, when packages containing white powder were delivered to five Saskatoon businesses. She was charged with public mischief and threats to cause bodily harm, but was released on $5,000 bail in late January.
More suspicious packages were sent out in late March, sometimes multiple times in a day. Emerson’s first lawyer, Brian Pfefferle, withdrew shortly after receiving a package.
In all cases, the white powder ended up being non-hazardous.
A warrant was issued for Emerson’s arrest on April 7.
Two days later, a video surfaced of a woman claiming to be the one who sent the packages, but police have said they do not believe that woman is responsible for any criminal activity.
Emerson, who was on conditions to live in Alberta, turned herself in to police the next day.
Crown prosecutor Jennifer Claxton-Viczko said Emerson now faces 83 charges that involve as many as 250 witnesses.