Crown abandons appeals of conspiracy-to-murder acquittals related to Coutts border blockades

Prosecutors have abandoned their appeals in the cases of two men who were acquitted of conspiring to murder police officers amid the 2022 Coutts border blockade.

Anthony Olienick and Chris Carbert are serving prison sentences for lesser convictions in relation to the blockades.

Both were convicted in August of mischief over $5,000 and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace.

But they were acquitted of the more serious conspiracy-to-murder charges. The Crown had initially appealed those acquittals, seeking new trials on those charges.

The Alberta Court of Appeal confirmed to CBC News on Thursday that both appeals are now closed.

Olienick and Carbert are still appealing their convictions on the lesser charges.

"Obviously we're pleased with the Crown's decision, but it doesn't impact Mr. Carbert's intentions to continue to pursue his appeal," defence lawyer Katherin Beyak told CBC News. 

Olienick's defence lawyer, Brendan Miller, declined to comment but did confirm he received the Crown's notice to abandon its appeal.

The Alberta Crown Prosecution Service said it has no comment at this time, as other matters related to the cases remain before the Court of Appeal.

Both men had also applied for parole but were recently denied. The parole board that heard their application cited a lack of accountability for their actions in its decision to deny them an early release.