Premier Danielle Smith praises jury system after Coutts protest verdict in Alberta [Video]

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the jury has spoken and needs to be respected in the case of two men found guilty for their actions at the 2022 Coutts border blockade.

Smith has expressed support and sympathy for COVID protesters like Anthony Olienick and Chris Carbert.

But she told the Shaun Newman podcast Thursday that it was a jury that found Olienick and Carbert guilty of mischief and weapon possession at a trial in Lethbridge, Alta., last month.

“It was a jury of their peers which I think is important because a jury trial is sacrosanct in our country and our province,” Smith said when asked for her thoughts on the trial.

“They looked at the evidence, rejected some of the charges and accepted some of the others.”

She added: “I think people should feel some confidence that the jury trial system is an important part of our process and that’s …