A pair of men charged with damaging oil and gas sites in the Peace River region of Alberta are now out on bail.
But Richard Boonstra, one of the two, faces a new charge of mischief endangering life, which relates to incidents that occurred between November and December 1997. The crown brought the charge Feb. 18, the day after Boonstra and friend Wiebo Ludwig were released on bail.
“I’m sure there will be a few more surprises,” said Richard Secord, lawyer for the two men. “I’m sure there will be other developments coming along. It’s been that kind of a file.”
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Secord said he has heard more charges may be pending against Ludwig.
Until Boonstra’s latest charge, he and Ludwig faced nine charges each that include counselling a former neighbor to damage property over $5,000 and counselling to possess explosives. Those charges stem from incidents between Sept. 1 and Nov. 30, 1998.
No communication
Under bail terms, Boonstra and Ludwig can’t communicate with each other. Ludwig is to stay on his Hythe-area farm, which he is using as $800,000 security. Boonstra is directed to stay on a friend’s Edson-area farm that gives him $20,000 surety for his bail.
“I’m just pleased the men are able to be back with their families pending the preliminary hearing,” said Secord.
“The release on bail gives me more comfort in the charter provisions that we’ve got, which say everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty and are not to be denied bail unreasonably.”
Boonstra blamed difficulties getting bail on two “fairly outrageous” newspaper articles, which he said contained “fairly sensational” comments. These included Ludwig musing about slitting the throat of Alberta Energy Company president Gwyn Morgan.
Boonstra and Ludwig, who claim area gas well emissions endanger human and animal health, face a May 3 preliminary hearing.
