A judge in Kamloops angrily entered not-guilty pleas this week on behalf of a pair of First Nations hunters facing poaching charges.
Jay Coutts and Fara Palmer appeared in court on Monday, Sept. 29, by telephone from their home in Cache Creek. Both are charged with trafficking in wildlife, while Coutts faces an additional count of hunting during prohibited hours.
Coutts began the phone call by stating he wanted to be tried by a judge and jury in B.C. Supreme Court, but Kamloops provincial court Judge Stella Frame told him that wasn’t an option given the nature of his charges.
Coutts then said his First Nations heritage made the allegations federal in nature, but Frame shut that down as well.
When asked by Frame to enter their pleas, both Coutts and Palmer said they weren’t ready to do so.
Frame then entered not-guilty pleas for them.
Coutts could be heard arguing with Frame, who then shouted, “Disconnecting!” and ordered the court clerk to hang up on the accused.
According to court documents, Coutts’ charge of hunting deer during prohibited hours charge stems from an incident in Cache Creek on May 21, 2013. He is alleged to have trafficked in deer meat in Vancouver the following day.
Palmer is alleged to have trafficked in deer meat in Cache Creek on April 11, 2013.
Coutts and Palmer are due to appear in court in person on Oct. 16.
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