Trial expected for Coutts protester involved in vehicle incident

A 36-year-old man accused of swerving at a Mountie during the trucker protest at Coutts in January and February, is getting ready to stand trial.

James Edward Sowery of Flagstaff County southeast of Edmonton, elected Tuesday in Lethbridge provincial court to be tried by a judge and jury. The matter was adjourned to June 13 for arraignment in Lethbridge Court of Queen’s Bench, where the accused is expected to plead not guilty to charges of assault with a weapon and dangerous driving.

The charges stem from an incident in which a large commercial vehicle drove at an RCMP officer, forcing the officer to run out of the way to avoid being hit.

Sowery is on a release order that prohibits him from being within two kilometres of the border.

He is not allowed to go to Milk River or possess any weapons, and he is prohibited from attending protests. He is allowed, however, to drive but only while working.

Sowery had previously been prohibited from driving, but in March the release conditions were amended after his lawyer told court the truck driver had been unable to work since he was arrested.

“He should not be driving a work vehicle to go out for a cheeseburger, to go to a bar, to go for a visit or any other such thing; he would have to walk or get a ride,” the judge said during the March 28 hearing.

The matter for one of several other people charged in relation to the Coutts protest was also in provincial court Tuesday. The accused, Anthony Olienick, was represented by Calgary lawyer Alain Hepner, who adjourned the case until May 20.

Olienick, along with three other men, is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and mischief. Nine other individuals face charges of mischief and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

The individuals were arrested during the protest at the Coutts border, after police reportedly became aware of a cache of firearms and ammunition. Police said they believed a small organized group within the protest was prepared to use force against officers if any attempts were made to disrupt the blockade. During the early-morning raid police uncovered 13 long guns, as well as handguns, a machete, and a large quantity of ammunition and body armour. Two additional weapons were seized later in the day.