Kelowna man convicted in high-profile firearms trial granted bail pending appeal

KELOWNA – One of two Kelowna men recently sent to prison for numerous weapons related offenses has been granted bail while he appeals his convictions.

Cory Joseph Montemurro, 45, was driving a rented vehicle in November 2010 when he was stopped for speeding by RCMP on the TransCanada Highway near Salmon Arm.

Inside the SUV, police found handguns, a sawed off shotgun, ammunition, knives, clubs, face masks, body armour and a cell phone signal jammer.

Montemurro, an alleged associate of the Hells Angels, was handed a five year prison sentence in January.

He’s appealing his convictions on several grounds, including the trial judge was sick during the proceedings and made factual errors in some of his decisions.

Montemurro also argues the guilty verdicts are unreasonable and not supported by the evidence.

Crown Counsel opposed Montemurro’s bail application on the basis it isn’t in the public interest.

In granting bail, Mr. Justice Frankel wrote: “Although I am less sanguine than Mr. Montemurro about the strength of some of his grounds of appeal, I am also less pessimistic than the Crown about the possibility of the appeal succeeding. While this case is close to the line, on balance, I am of the view the merits of the appeal are such that public confidence in the administration of justice would not be adversely affected by granting Mr. Montemurro bail provided he diligently prosecutes the appeal. If that factum is not filed by August 10, 2015, then Mr. Montemurro will have to surrender himself into custody the following morning.”

Montemurro was ordered released upon posting a $500,000 recognizance without deposit but with four sureties. He must also consent to police searches to ensure compliance with other bail conditions.

The other man convicted in the case, Hells Angels member Joseph Bruce Skreptak, was also sentenced to five years imprisonment.

He has not appealed his convictions or sentence.