Amanda Kay Freeman, 23, was granted bail Monday under strict conditions that include a curfew and a no-contact order regarding members and associates of the Rock Machine gang. Freeman has no previous criminal involvement and spent the past five nights in custody.
The Crown wanted to keep her behind bars, saying allowing her back into the community while a biker war is still being waged on the streets would send a terrible message to society.
"The public interest would be brought into disrepute," Brent Davidson said.
Provincial court Judge Marvin Garfinkel disagreed after hearing submissions from the Crown and defence lawyer Darren Sawchuk, who claims his client had no idea what was happening during last Tuesday's incident in East Kildonan.
Davidson told court during a separate hearing last Friday how Winnipeg police officers threw themselves into the line of fire to potentially save the life of a Hells Angels associate. He also revealed startling comments, allegedly made by an arrested Rock Machine member, about more violence to come.
Police have been on high alert in recent weeks after more than a dozen incidents between members and associates of the Rock Machine and Hells Angels, including a series of fire-bombings and drive-by shootings of homes and businesses.
Davidson told court those policing efforts led to credible "source" information being received last week about a Hells Angel who was going to be targeted at his residence on Antrim Road. Officers set up surveillance outside the home and on nearby streets, looking for any sign of trouble.
It was just after 12:30 a.m. last Tuesday when a Dodge Avenger began circling the block, Davidson told court. Two male prospect members of the Rock Machine were inside, along with a young woman who owned the vehicle and was sitting in the passenger seat.
Police sprung into action when the Hells Angel who was apparently being targeted stepped out of his home just as the Avenger was pulling up in front. Several police units rushed in, smashing into the Avenger and boxing in the occupants. Police arrested the occupants and seized a loaded .45-calibre handgun from inside the vehicle. Freeman, along with Joseph Jordan Carl Choken, 19, and Guy Wesley Vernon Stevenson, 21, face several charges, including possession of restricted firearms. Choken and Stevenson remain in custody and have not applied for bail.
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