Overview
- Acting chief Crown prosecutor James Pickard entered the stay on Friday after a team of prosecutors concluded there was no viable path forward.
- Alberta Justice said an internal review is underway to find what went wrong and to prevent a similar failure in the future.
- Two complainants said Crown staff told them the decision followed long delays to trial and unspecified misconduct by prosecutors, leaving them feeling there was no accountability.
- The file cycled through at least five prosecutors, drew voluminous pretrial motions, saw two charges stayed in July 2025, and was adjourned again in December 2025 weeks before a planned September jury trial.
- De Ruiter, who leads the Oasis spiritual community, was accused by police of telling followers a spirit directed sexual acts that would bring them enlightenment.