Tears from man accused of conspiring to murder RCMP officers as bail denied

An Alberta man accused of conspiring with three others to murder RCMP officers during blockades and protests at the Coutts border has been denied bail.

The other three were denied bail earlier this year.

Jerry Morin appeared over closed-circuit television, apologizing for his unshaven appearance, explaining he'd been "in the hole the last week."

Morin cried several times throughout his court appearance Monday, including when lawyers discussed a potential no-contact order with his girlfriend after the judge refused to release him.

In the end, prosecutor Matt Dalidowicz agreed to leave Jacqueline Martin's name off the no-contact list, which includes the other 12 people charged in connection with the protests at the Coutts crossing in January and February of this year. 

• Coutts arrests: new details on the men and women charged in border blockade

Court of Queen's Bench Justice Johnna Kubik denied Morin's release after hearing submissions from Dalidowicz and defence lawyer Greg Dunn on June 30. 

All of the arguments, evidence and judge's reasons for detention are protected by a publication ban. 

Connection to far-right militia group

Morin, Chris Lysak, Chris Carbert and Anthony Olienick each face charges of conspiracy to murder, possession of a weapon and mischief. 

They were charged in February after raids on trailers parked near the protest area resulted in RCMP seizing a cache of guns, body armour and ammunition.

• 'Threat was very serious': RCMP provide update on Coutts arrests after blockade ends

On some of the seized body armour were patches belonging to a far-right militia called Diagolon.

A trial for the four men has been scheduled for June 2023. All four have now been denied bail pending trial. 

Ten others, including Martin, face less serious charges connected to the protests.

'This is war'

In a video titled "Call to Action" and posted to Morin's Facebook page the day before his arrest, he called the Coutts situation "war" and encouraged others to join the fight.

In the video, Morin and Martin — who faces a charge of mischief over $5,000 — call on people to come to Coutts to participate in the blockade. 

"Come on down tonight, there's no excuses, this is war," he says. "Your country needs you more than ever now."