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B 26 saga gets civil

Accused salvors of the Watson Lake B-26 aren't being taken to court anymore. Instead, they're being taken for a 'talk.' In early June, Alberta brothers Brian and John Jasman salvaged a Second World War-era bomber from the bottom of Watson Lake.

Accused salvors of the Watson Lake B-26 aren’t being taken to court anymore. Instead, they’re being taken for a ‘talk.’

In early June, Alberta brothers Brian and John Jasman salvaged a Second World War-era bomber from the bottom of Watson Lake.

The bomber was seized by the RCMP and the brothers were charged with illegally excavating a historic resource.

The Jasmans had originally been scheduled to appear in court on July 14.

“Let’s chat,” the Jasmans were told instead, a week before their appearance.

“Which means, ‘Let’s talk’; which means ‘Let’s negotiate,’” said Darren Williams, the Victoria-based marine lawyer representing the Jasmans.

The government and salvors are now working things out behind closed doors.

“(The case) wasn’t thrown out, it was just taken off the list,” said Williams.

“They haven’t withdrawn any charges, if you will,” he said.

Nevertheless, the decision suggests a higher likelihood the case will be settled out of court, said Williams. (Tristin Hopper)