LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — The trial of a trio accused of masterminding the COVID-era border blockade at Coutts, Alta., saw the defence pursue a contrary narrative Thursday of a mishmash protest where no one had the power to call the shots.

“You couldn’t tell us who actually was responsible for the (blockading) trucks coming down on the 29 (of January),” defence lawyer Michael Johnston put to former Coutts mayor Jim Willett during cross-examination.