‘The Coutts 4’ has been a national story for a few years, but for the four men behind this story, this long overdue ending finally proves what we all knew to be true.

Two of the four men, Chris Lysak and Jerry Morin, were released in February after signing plea agreements for lesser offences, and after the Crown dismissed the charges of conspiracy to commit murder. At this point they had been held without bail for almost two full years.

The other two men, Chris Carbert and Tony Olienick, remained in custody for another 5 months awaiting trial.

We’re aware of the inconsistencies in the evidence presented, and thankfully the jury recognized this as well, and their decision declared both men not guilty for conspiracy to commit murder.

The lesser charges were upheld; both men have been convicted of the charges of mischief and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, with Olienick also seeing a guilty verdict for possessing a pipe bomb.

The legal system has tried desperately to make an example of these men, to spread fear in the rest of us for what might happen, if we dare protest our government.

It was the RCMP themselves who sabotaged equipment and these men were clearly easy targets.

There is no excuse for leaving these men to rot in jail, away from their families and unsure of their futures, while the same system released dangerous repeat offenders to continue their crimes.

These men are owed an apology and compensation for the years they have not been allowed to contribute to the wellbeing of their families.

All of Canada is owed an explanation as to how our legal system has been rendered incapable of functioning correctly from the top down.

Our government declared open season on our rights and freedoms with the invocation of the EA, taking aim at any Canadian who dared to disagree.

Enough Canadians have been brutalized.

To all Canadians, and those remaining officers with integrity, stand and be heard – it is well past time for change.