Two of the suspects are seeking reduced charges in Coates Border

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Two of the suspects accused of conspiring to kill Mounties during the Coates border protest pleaded guilty Tuesday to reduced charges.

Christopher Lysak pleaded guilty to a charge of unlawful possession of a weapon, and Jerry Morin pleaded guilty to a charge of transporting a firearm in connection with a February 2022 protest against the COVID-19 mandates.

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Judge Vaughan Hartigan accepted a joint recommendation from Crown prosecutors and defense attorneys Daniel Song and Greg Dunn that the two men be sentenced to the same prison term.

That was three years for Lysak and about 3 1/2 years for Maureen, the Lethbridge Court of Queen's Bench judge said.

It is normal for a defendant to receive 1.5 days of credit for each day he is in custody. Maureen was given enhanced credit for time spent in solitary confinement.

Two other defendants, Chris Carbert and Anthony Olienik, are in custody accused of conspiring to kill members of the RCMP who were monitoring a border protest at the Coates International Crossing in Montana.

Their trial is scheduled for June.

Dunn issued a written statement on Morin's behalf after the hearing, indicating that he could not comment at length due to pending legal proceedings against the other two defendants.

“Mr. Morin has steadfastly maintained from the beginning that he played no role in the alleged conspiracy to kill the police officers and is pleased and grateful that the Crown has withdrawn these and related charges,” Dunn wrote.

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“Additionally, Mr. Morin's guilty plea does not indicate that Mr. Morin provided Coates with a firearm at any time, only that he consented.

“Sadly, Mr. Morin spent two years of his life waiting for this day.”

Song also issued a brief statement via email.

“To be clear, Mr. Lysak did not admit to possessing the pistol for a dangerous purpose. He did not participate in the Coates protests with the intention of harming anyone. He admits that his firearm was loaded with ammunition when he was caught by the police, but denies that he loaded the gun and put it in the cell, Song said.

The blockade disrupted the international crossing for more than two weeks as truckers and others blocked the highway connecting Montana and Alberta in protest of public health measures taken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

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