Hells Angels accused Martin convicted, sentenced, freed

Emery Martin, an alleged Hells Angels member who was accused of being part of a general murder conspiracy under the police operation dubbed SharQc, was sentenced to 15 years in prison Friday.

Even so, Martin was given leave of his prison cell because he has already spent the equivalent time in custody. Martin, who pleaded guilty last Monday, also had $ 30,000 confiscated.

Five defendants remain in the SharQc mega- trial. On Monday, the beginning of the trial for members of the Hells Angels accused of mur- der and conspiracy was delayed by one week to Aug. 10 after a juror was excused for professional reasons.

The trial should begin next Monday at the Gouin Judicial Services Centre in Montreal.

The SharQc operation carried out in April 2009, brought charges against more than 156 people, including 111 members of the motorcycle gang. To date, 105 people charged have avoided trial by pleading guilty. Eight of the accused are at large and three others are dead.