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‘Mr. Big’ sting used by police in legislature bomb plot arrests, defence lawyer says

Mounties used a Mr. Big undercover operation in their investigation of a plot to bomb Canada Day crowds at the legislature, said a defence lawyer for one of the accused on Tuesday.
John Nuttall; Amanda Korody.jpg
John Nuttall, left, holding a Qur’an, and Amanda Korody, shown in this courtroom sketch, appear in provincial court in Surrey in 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Felicity Don

Mounties used a Mr. Big undercover operation in their investigation of a plot to bomb Canada Day crowds at the legislature, said a defence lawyer for one of the accused on Tuesday.

John Stewart Nuttall, 38, and his partner Amanda Marie Korody, 30, were arrested last week and charged with taking steps to explode three pressure- cooker bombs filled with rusty nails near thousands of people attending Canada Day celebrations.

“While it’s very premature, it’s my understanding there was a Mr. Big operation, there was that component to this investigation,” Tom Morino said after the couple’s brief appearance in Surrey provincial court.

In a Mr. Big sting, police officers go undercover in order to gain the trust of suspects and obtain information for later use in court. An undercover officer may pose as a crime boss — Mr. Big — who tries to gain the confidence of the suspects, involving them in a variety of activities and talking to them about what they’ve been doing.

Morino said the case has elements of entrapment and it’s safe to assume various people seen by neighbours around the couple’s Surrey apartment were undercover operatives.

The RCMP declined to comment.

Nuttall and Korody are charged with conspiring together or with others to place an explosive in a government facility with intent to cause death or serious bodily injury for the benefit of a terrorist group, facilitating a terrorist group and possessing an explosive substance with intent to endanger life or cause serious damage to property for the benefit of a terrorist group.

A new charge — conspiracy to murder persons unknown — will be included with the others when the case moves to B.C. Supreme Court today.

The Crown has decided to proceed by direct indictment in the case against Nuttall and Korody. That means they will go to trial without a preliminary hearing, which is usually held to determine whether there is enough evidence to proceed to trial. The attorney general or deputy attorney general can order a case to be dealt with by direct indictment if it is in the public interest.

In court Tuesday, Korody flashed a smile at Nuttall as court sheriffs seated the pair in separate prisoner’s docks, a few feet apart. Dressed in red and clutching a Qur’an, Nuttall appeared with long brown hair and a beard.

“They’re very devoted to each other. I’m not surprised that they were happy to see each other,” Morino said, noting the two were married in the Islamic faith.

Morino will continue to represent Nuttall.

“I’ve told Amanda it’s in her best interests to retain other counsel and I will assist her in that,” he said.

Morino said he met with Nuttall for more than two hours Monday night.

“He seemed to be in relatively good spirits concerning the circumstances. I guess he was glad to see a friend and acquaintance,” Morino said.

Nuttall and Korody are each being held in segregation. The Correctional Service is doing that for their own protection, Morino said.

Korody also looked good, he said. “She did not look dishevelled,” the defence lawyer said.

Morino said he will bring a letter to court today confirming he has been retained by Nuttall.

ldickson@timescolonist.com

— with files from Surrey Now