Ludwig, Boonstra guilty of six charges
Wiebo Ludwig and Richard Boonstra have been found guilty of a total of six charges in connection with oil and gas well vandalism.
Ludwig sat stone-faced as he was convicted of five charges, the most serious of which is possession of explosives. This charge carries a maximum penalty of 14 years in prison.
Boonstra has been found guilty of one count a mischief charge.
Ludwig was found not guilty of the most serious charge of endangering lives. This charge could have carried a life sentence.
Ludwig's lawyer contends that police entrapped Ludwig into trying to possess an explosive, as well as counselling informant Robert Wraight to possess explosives.
Ludwig's bail has not been met and he will therefore be kept in jail. Ludwig's lawyer, Paul Moreau, says he and his client have not yet discussed appeals.
Sentencing is set for next Wednesday.
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During the reading of the rulings, the judge criticized the RCMP's investigation. Sanderman said he couldn't convict the men on several charges due to the poor sound quality of secret RCMP tapes that formed a large part of the Crown's case.
About 40 people from Hythe and Beaverlodge applauded lightly when the verdict was read.
Ludwig supporters seemed to be in shock. One had to be escorted from the court by security; another screamed incoherently on the courthouse steps.
Jed and Barb Willis say they're still waiting for justice. Their 16-year-old daughter, Karmen, was shot and killed on the Ludwig farm last June while she was trespassing on the property early one morning with a group of other young people. No one has been charged in the shooting.
Leroy Durand, mayor of Beaverlodge, Alberta says he is anxiously awaiting the sentencing saying, "Being found guilty and being sentenced are often two very different things."
In all, the area has seen 160 incidents of vandalism ranging from wellsite bombings to flattened tires.