Chris Carbert, one of the four men known as the “Coutts 4,” who was arrested in connection to the Coutts, AB, protest in February 2022, has been granted bail. Carbert has not seen the light of day for more than three years. The Coutts protest against COVID-19 mandates transpired at the same time as the Freedom Convoy in Ottawa. Carbert and the other three men were charged with conspiring to murder a police officer, among other charges. They were all denied bail and held in pre-trial custody for nearly two years. Two of the men accepted a plea deal on lesser charges, but Carbert and Anthony Olienick remained resolute. .STIFF SENTENCES: Jail terms handed down to Coutts 2, Carbert and Olienick six-and-half years apiece.In September, 2024, they were exonerated of the conspiracy charge, and sentenced to 6.5 years each on weapons and mischief charges.Alberta Justice David Labrenz at the time called it a “deterrent sentence.”"To signal not just to the defendants but to everyone else" putting police officers and the public in jeopardy would not be tolerated, he told the courtroom.He mentioned several times the RCMP, members of the public and "even some children" could have been harmed if firearms were taken up."They knew what they were doing was illegal, but they did not care because they believed they had a worthy cause," said Labrenz.The pair got credit for 1,409 days in pretrial custody, a reduction of nearly 4 years, meaning they would have two years left to serve from that day. .WATCH: Chris Carbert breaks down trial, says crime-fraud envelope must be opened.Katherin Beyak, defence for Carbert, told the Western Standard after the hearing she planned to file an appeal early the next morning."There is also the option of bail pending appeal,” she said at the time."It's going to be a big appeal. It's going to take us a long time to get there."Beyak said with time served, the men are looking at approximately 16 to 18 months, if there was no bail..'GAG ORDER ON CANADIANS': Packed gallery, disappointing outcome in Coutts sentencing .In May, the two men were denied parole. However, this week, Carbert, who was found guilty of mischief over $5,000 and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, is to be released on bail, pending his conviction appeal arguments, which are scheduled for September.Alberta Court of Appeal Justice Jo-Anne Strekaf in her decision, released Monday, wrote: “Detention pending his appeals is not necessary for the protection or safety of the public.”Beyak and the Crown prosecutors on the case have been summoned to appear before her with a release plan, according to Yahoo News.
