The four-week trial for three animal rights activists facing a total of 14 charges related to the Excelsior Hog Farm opened in Abbotsford today (June 27). The trio along with lawyer Joe Killoran held a brief conference prior to the court appearance.

Around 50 supporters of Roy Sasano, Nick Schafer and Amy Soranno, many holding signs, lined up outside the courtroom shortly after 8 a.m.

The trio face a number of break-and-enter and mischief charges from action at the farm from February, March and April 2019. The farm was also the site of a protest on April 28, 2019.

Press conference and gathering outside of the courtroom related to day one of the trial. Trial starts at 10 am

鈥� Ben Lypka (@BenLypka)

Soranno stated her disappointment that they are facing jail time, while the farmers they claim abused animals face zero repercussions. She said there is systemic bias against animals and activists and she hopes the transparency in this case will shed light on what she said occurred at the Abbotsford farm.

She added that she believes the BC SPCA and the Abbotsford Police Department did not properly investigate the situation at the farm. That statement was backed up by Killoran.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 think they handled it very well,鈥� he said, about the APD. 鈥淚 think they lost some evidence and there will be some examination in trial showing that other mistakes were made. I don鈥檛 think it was an exemplary job by the Abbotsford Police.鈥�

He added that he believes the trial will show the sloppy police work by the APD.

The trial runs for four weeks at the Abbotsford courthouse.