Prince Albert Provincial Court. (File photo/paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Trial cancelled for weapons bust suspects following stay of proceedings

Feb 19, 2021 | 12:00 PM

A trial was no longer required this week for two people charged in connection to a weapons bust in Prince Albert, as the Crown entered a stay of proceedings on all charges.

Christy Simaganis and Vance Linklater were among three people charged in connection to the incident in April 2020. Two large machetes and a sawed off shotgun were among the weapons found in the vehicle stopped by police, as well as a can of bear spray and a black and white bandana.

Last July, Simaganis and Linklater both entered not guilty pleas, however with the third person accused, David Ross, still on the run, the Crown was unwilling at the time to sever the files and set multiple trial dates. Prosecutor Andreanne Dube explained the matters were quite serious and would take a lot of resources to run the trial once, let alone possibly twice.

A photo taken of the weapons seized. (Submitted photo/Prince Albert Police)

On Nov. 2, a severance hearing was held and the judge essentially agreed Simaganis and Linklater should have the opportunity to face trial. The date was set for Feb. 18 but when paNOW showed up at Prince Albert Provincial Court Thursday morning, it was discovered the charges were stayed at a hearing on Jan. 28.

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No explanation has been provided for the stay of proceedings, but typically a number of factors may play into the decision, including the likelihood of a conviction being reached.

A stay of proceedings does not indicate the case is closed. The Crown does have up to a year to re-commence proceedings.

Christopher Koban represented Simaganis and told paNOW Simaganis was very relieved to hear that her charges had been stayed. Koban re-iterated Simaganis had been asserting her innocence since day one.

David Ross remains unaccounted for on bench warrant status.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell