MONCTON, N.B. -- Wives of two fallen officers left a courtroom disappointed Thursday after the RCMP pleaded not guilty to Labour Code violations stemming from a 2014 shooting rampage targeting Mounties.
"At this point we're just hoping for a quick resolution," said Angela Gevaudan, whose husband Const. Fabrice Gevaudan was one of three Mounties killed when Justin Bourque began shooting at police in a residential neighbourhood.
"It has been a frustrating process," said Nadine Larche, whose husband Const. Doug Larche was killed.
Trial was set for April 17, 2017. The RCMP are accused of four violations relating to the force's equipment, training and supervision.
The charges allege the RCMP failed to provide members with the appropriate equipment, information, instruction and training in an active shooter event, and failed to provide supervisors with appropriate information and instruction or training in an active shooter event.
"The matter is going to go to trial and the RCMP is going to contest the allegations," said defence lawyer Mark Ertel Thursday.
In August 2014, two months after the shootings, Bourque pleaded guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder for killing Gevaudan and Larche as well as Const. Dave Ross, while constables Eric Dubois and Darlene Goguen were wounded.
Bourque was sentenced to life in prison with no eligibility for parole for 75 years.
The RCMP had been expected to enter pleas and set a trial date during a court appearance in Moncton last month, but defence lawyer Ian Carter says the Crown and defence needed more time to discuss narrowing the issues in the case. They also talked about the possibility of achieving a resolution.
But instead, Ertel entered pleas of not guilty on Thursday. Outside the court, Ertel said the lawyers will meet for a pre-trial conference in January to try to condense the proceedings.
"Maybe to streamline the procedure and to fine tune the time estimate which is now three months, and it could be shortened if we could come together on some parts of the case," Ertel said.
A review of the shootings said officers responding to the shootings faced a litany of problems that included communicating accurate information, accessing high-powered weaponry and securing protective equipment.
Bourque, 26, used a semi-automatic rifle to shoot the five officers in the city, and set off a 30-hour manhunt that drew in officers from around the region.
