The March 12 verdict date for the mischief trial of Freedom Convoy organizers Tamara Lich and Chris Barber has been postponed indefinitely due to court backlogs.
Lich and Barber face charges of mischief, obstruction, intimidation and counselling others to do the same during the February 2022 protest against COVID-19 mandates in Ottawa.
Lich on Thursday night said they had just received the news the verdict date “is unfortunately being postponed.”
In her X post, Lich referenced court backlog comments made by Justice Heather Perkins-McVey in August when the verdict date was set and slammed the “sad state of the justice system in Canada.”
“At the end of our criminal (longest) mischief trial last August, when Her Honour set the verdict date, she let us know the court system assigned her a full trial schedule to help clear the backlog from the COVID-19 years,” wrote Lich.
“This is the sad state of the justice system in Canada. While we are disappointed in yet another delay in our case, we know the importance of the upcoming decision not just for us, but for all Canadians.”
Lich added she would keep the people informed when the new verdict date is set.
Crown prosecutors Tim Radcliffe and Siobhan Wetscher are asking for the maximum penalty for mischief, 10 years in prison.
They are also pursuing the Carter Application, a conspiracy charge where one defendant is charged for the other’s words and actions, and vice versa.
