Romana Didulo has been released from custody.
Surrounded by her white hat-clad members of the “Kingdom of Canada” group, the self-proclaimed “Queen of Canada” emerged from the Swift Current Provincial Court, saying she was “doing well” and thanking her supporters.
In front of a packed courtroom on Monday morning, Judge Alan Jacobson imposed several conditions.
Didulo must remain at a specified address in Regina at all times unless she obtains permission from her parole officer.
She is not allowed to come within 50 kilometers of the Town of Richmound under any circumstances.
She is also not allowed to contact or refer online to Ricky Manz or any of the alleged victims in this case.
Didulo first emerging from the Swift Current Provincial Court. (Photo by Shawn Mullin)
Didulo is not allowed to possess any weapons and must attempt to attain employment or education while awaiting trial.
Evidence presented by the Crown and Didulo during the bail hearing is subject to a media ban.
Judge Jacobson noted that the ban was in place because Didulo could be facing a trial by jury, and some evidence presented in a bail hearing may not be fully admissible in that trial.
Didulo consistently told the court she was appearing and agreeing to these terms “under duress.”
She described being held in custody as being “kidnapped or human trafficked… You do not shackle anyone unless they are guilty.”
Jacobson insisted that she use the term “reluctantly agree” instead when referring to the release conditions.
Didulo relented and followed with that wording.
She continued to represent herself in court.
The court invited a public defender to the proceedings as an amicus for the court.
Didulo has also chosen to have a trial by judge and jury in the Court of King’s Bench with a preliminary inquiry.
Her next court appearance is set for September 17 to determine a date for the preliminary inquiry.
Members of her “Kingdom of Canada” group filled the seats inside the court during the hearing.
They refused to rise for Judge Jacobson in court, and one member of the group was ejected from the courtroom for interrupting proceedings to plead Didulo’s case.
He was later identified as Jerome Lapointe. He also appeared to be acting as security for Didulo when she left the court.
Ricky Manz, the owner of the decommissioned Richmound School where the “Kingdom of Canada” had been residing, had his bail hearing moved to Tuesday at 1:30 pm.
The Saskatchewan Health Authority has evicted everyone from the school due to the condition of the building.