Larry Watson will have a long time to ponder on his alleged involvement in a methamphetamine lab bust on his property north of Stettler in February, as the elderly man was granted bail, but will be under house arrest until trial.
Watson joins fellow co-accused James Hall, who was released shortly after arrest. The other two accused in the case, Colin Wilford and Victor Foley, remain in custody.
Watson appeared by CCTV from the Red Deer Remand Centre, where he's been in custody since his arrest on Feb. 21. He and person James Hall, Colin Wilford and Victor Foley were arrested in a major raid that involved Emergency Response Teams from CITY, air support, and multiple RCMP detachments.
The court heard that it will be at least late 2017 before the matter moves to trial, as the courts are booking that far ahead for trials of five days or longer in length.
The federal Crown attorney, D. Hatch, objected to Watson's bail release, saying that while the case thus far does not indicate Watson's in-depth involvement, it is still early in the process and all the information has not yet been provided to the Crown.
The Crown said it would have taken "willful blindness" on Watson's part to not see what Foley and his associates were allegedly doing on the part of the property they had rented from Watson.
Watson's counsel told the court that Watson, an elderly man with an alcohol problem, was taken advantage of by Foley and his associates. He noted that Watson regularly rented out his property to supplement his retirement income, and that the part of the property rented to Foley and his associates were hidden from view by a barn, and a treacherous plain of ice existed between his home and the rented area. Not wanting to slip, Watson did not go back to check on the property.
Given his age, the nearly-two-years in remand that would be required should Watson be denied bail would be especially hard on the accused, Watson's counsel said.
A bail plan was submitted by Watson's counsel to the court, and though the Crown objected, Judge G.E. Deck agreed and Watson was released on bail.
As part of his bail, Watson must remain on his property at all times, except when reporting to the RCMP, attending medical or dental appointments, attending the hospital for a medical emergency, attending court or attending to legal matters with his counsel. He is not allowed to consume alcohol or drugs, and may not have alcohol, drugs or drug-making paraphernalia on his property. He must report to the RCMP in person twice a week. Further to that, a friend will be moving in to his home to enforce the conditions of bail. The property, solely owned by Watson, was put up as surety for bail.
Watson will not be allowed to rent his property, excepting the fallow land which is rented to a farmer. If his children or spouse wish to come live with him, he must get permission from the RCMP in writing prior to the individuals residing at the residence.
Foley also appeared by CCTV, having refused to leave his cell at the previous court hearing two weeks earlier. However, bail was not discussed and the matter was deferred until the next court date.
Hall was released shortly after arrest in February, and is also under conditions, which include a weapons prohibition and drug prohibition.
All four are charged with various drug-related offences, which have not been proven in court.