An argument that turned into an alleged threat to kill a neighbour’s chicken will be back before the Grand Forks Circuit Court June 30 to affix a date and for the defendant to get disclosure.
Grand Forks resident Stanley John Chernoff appeared in court over one count of Uttering Threats to Kill an Animal or Bird. Chernoff explained on April 25, he had a heated discussion with a neighbour over an allegedly broken shovel, which escalated into an alleged threat to throw poison over the fence in an attempt to harm or kill a chicken the neighbour owned.
Chernoff explained he was both an alcoholic and dyslexic, but pleaded not guilty and said he planned on representing himself.
Judge Brown cautioned Chernoff over self-representation and advised him to still seek some legal counsel.
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One of a pair of Greenwood residents facing charges of Committing an Indecent Act in a Public Place was given a polite, but firm warning to follow through with Alternative Measures or face real charges.
Vincent Leonard Mason appeared in court, explaining he’d been trying to get a hold of the probation Office in Castlegar over the charges, but hadn’t been in contact with them for around two months.
He is co-charged with Heather Marie Barisoff, who has made appearances.
There was also an application for a warrant for Mason over not appearing in court during that time, which he said he’d had difficulty getting transportation as well.
Judge Brown stated he understood it can be difficult to get a hold of a probation officer to arrange Alternative Measures, he insisted he does to avoid being charged, as the Crown is well within its right to do so.
“Please understand this is a gift because the Crown won’t wait, they can go ahead and prosecute,” he said. “Please don’t ignore this or wait for Miss Barisoff. Keep trying to reach them.”
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Two men that were allegedly involved in a drug smuggling operation near Christina Lake, B.C., may be having separate outcomes if one of them fails to appear for the June 30 sitting of Grand Forks Circuit Court.
Colin Edward Harrower and Richard Robert Martin are both facing one count each Possession for the Purpose of Distribution and Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking.
In Harrower’s case, a pre-trial conference was scheduled for June 30, with defense lawyers appearing via video stating they are still talking to Harrower over a resolution.
For Martin, who didn’t appear, had a warrant adjourned to the next appearance, also scheduled for June 30.
A third, Huy Ook Lee, was also charged with Possession for the Purpose of Distribution and Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking, but hasn’t made any appearances. An endorsed warrant was issued last April.
According to records, RCMP had received information from border patrol officers that the three men allegedly were in possession of large quantities of marijuana they were trying to smuggle over the Canada/U.S. border. Officers raided the location, finding about 50 pounds of marijuana in duffle bags. Harrower and Martin were arrested, while Lee reportedly fled into the nearby woods.
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A man convicted of multiple charges in Grand Forks, Midway, Christina Lake, Trail, Surrey, Vernon and Cranbrook will be sentenced in Rossland Court Later this year.
The court read off a long list of charges for Ryan William Harp, which included:
- Breach of a Probation Order in Midway.
- Breach of a Probation Order in Grand Forks.
- Criminal Harassment, Possession of a Weapon for Dangerous Purposes, Possessing a Firearm without a License and/or Registration, Possession of an unauthorized non-firearm, Mischief Endangering Life, Uttering Threats, Storage of a firearm Contrary to Regulation, two counts of Possession of Stolen Property and three counts of Breach of a Probation Order in Trail.
- Flight from Police and Dangerous Operation of a COnveyance in Christina Lake.
- Breach of a Release Order, Uttering Threats, and three counts of Breach of Probation in Cranbrook.
- Assault Causing Bodily Harm, Harm, Theft of a Motor Vehicle,Uttering Threats to Cause Death or Bodily Harm, Theft Under $5,000 and Breach of a Probation Order in Vernon.
- Breach of a Release Order in Surrey.
Sentencing in all matters will be on Sept. 15.
