Spiritual leader's wife charged with sexual assault accuses police of taking cell phone without warrant
CTV
The wife of an Edmonton spiritual leader who is accused of sexual assault has a new lawyer.
The wife of an Edmonton spiritual leader who is accused of sexual assault has a new lawyer.
Zachary Al-Khatib appeared in court on Wednesday on Leigh Ann de Ruiter's behalf, arguing for the return of de Ruiter’s cell phone.
“One of the things that happened when she was arrested was that her cell phone was seized from her,” Al-Khatib told CTV News Edmonton outside of the provincial courthouse.
He argued the phone was taken without a warrant.
“No warrant has been provided for that seizure. That warrant is a judicial authorization, it lets the public know that a judge has signed off and permitted the police to take the phone. That information has not been provided,” he said.
“The fact that she’s not even been given a legal basis for her phone being taken away and it’s in police custody right now and not being released to her is extremely concerning,” he added.
Leigh Ann de Ruiter is married to John de Ruiter, leader of the Oasis Group based in Edmonton.
