In this artist's sketch, John Nuttall (left) and Amanda Korody appear in court in Vancouver, Monday. Feb.2, 2015.Felicity Don/The Canadian Press
A woman accused of participating in a plot to explode pressure-cooker bombs outside the B.C. Legislature offered suggestions on how to carry out the attack, expressed concern about the tight schedule and wondered who would care for her cat, according to an undercover police video played in court.
The trial of John Nuttall and Amanda Korody continued Wednesday in B.C. Supreme Court. The common-law couple is accused of placing the devices outside the legislature on Canada Day, 2013. They have each pleaded not guilty to four counts.
The first two days of the trial focused almost exclusively on statements made by Mr. Nuttall. At times, he had mentioned his wife to an undercover officer, often in reference to unspecified health problems.
But, on the third day of the case, a video was played of Ms. Korody getting into an undercover police vehicle with Mr. Nuttall and the officer. The video was recorded on June 25, 2013, and the scattered nature of the alleged plot is evident. Less than a week before the attack is to be carried out, Mr. Nuttall is still considering alternate plans, such as storming a Victoria-area military base.
Ms. Korody sits in the back seat and is quiet for much of the video, though she gradually becomes more involved.
She corrects Mr. Nuttall when he believes Canada Day is in June, and takes part in a conversation about setting up timers for the pressure-cooker bombs. She says setting the timers for 12 hours would give them enough time to drop off the devices, leave Vancouver Island and return to the Lower Mainland.
Ms. Korody expresses concern about the tight schedule, saying she does not know if the devices can be built before Canada Day. She also says police will figure out who was behind the attack and come after them – as officers did in Boston following a pressure-cooker attack at the city's marathon.
Toward the end of the video, Ms. Korody asks the undercover officer if he knows anyone who would be interested in taking care of the couple's cat.
Ms. Korody did not appear to offer any reaction as the video was played for the court. She did, at times, appear to take notes as evidence was heard.
Her lawyer has not had an opportunity to question the undercover officer, the only witness to testify so far. The lawyer previously asked the jury to pay careful attention to how Ms. Korody "became ensnared" in the police operation.
The Crown has said Mr. Nuttall and Ms. Korody recorded a video laying out their motivation for the attack, though it has not been played for the court. The Crown has said Ms. Korody told Muslims not to despair because Allah was on their side.
Mr. Nuttall, who in earlier footage was heard saying he wanted the attack to kill as many people as 9/11, did most of the talking in the video played Wednesday. He told the undercover officer he had two questions when he converted to Islam – how should he worship Allah and "when do we jihad?"
The court has not heard why police first targeted Mr. Nuttall, though he told the undercover officer that some people he met at mosques called the police on him. Mr. Nuttall discussed several potential plans, including one that involved him putting a stick on a vehicle's gas pedal, rolling out of the moving vehicle with a gun, and then pressing a button to set off an explosive device.
Court heard the pressure-cooker plan was delayed as Mr. Nuttall waited on a cheque, so he could buy the items he needed.
The undercover officer, who cannot be identified, told the court he travelled with Mr. Nuttall and Ms. Korody to Kelowna, B.C., shortly before the video was made. He said police needed the couple out of their home so they could install surveillance equipment. The officer said police pretended there was a hazmat incident in the couple's Surrey, B.C., neighbourhood, and multiple residences were evacuated as they installed the equipment.