VANCOUVER — A B.C. Supreme Court judge has directed a jury to enter a not-guilty verdict for one of four charges against a couple accused of plotting to blow up the provincial legislature.
Justice Catherine Bruce told jurors that due to legal reasons they will not be required to make a decision on count three of the indictment — knowingly facilitating a terrorist activity.
“You will not be required to come to a decision about the guilt or innocence of the accused on this count in the indictment,” Bruce said Thursday.
“You must accept as matter of law that the accused cannot be convicted of this charge and you must not speculate as to why this has occurred.”
John Nuttall and Amanda Korody pleaded not guilty to a total of four charges. The remaining charges are conspiring to commit murder, conspiring to place explosives on behalf of a terrorist group, and possessing explosives on behalf of a terrorist group.
They are accused of leaving three homemade pressure-cooker bombs on the grounds of the legislature on Canada Day in 2013.
After the judge’s ruling, defence lawyer Marilyn Sandford opened her case by presenting a series of new audio and video clips, mostly showing secretly captured conversations between the couple when they were alone.
Neither Nuttall or Korody are expected to testify, and Sandford said she will not be calling any witnesses.
The Crown has spent several weeks showing extensive video captured by undercover RCMP officers involved in an elaborate police sting that ultimately led to the charges.