Alexa Emerson claims frame-up in mystery white powder case

The woman accused of sending a mysterious white powder to five Saskatoon businesses says she's being framed.

AlexaEmerson is pleading not guilty to mischief and uttering threats.

The 31-year-old appeared by video in court this morning. Defence lawyer BrianPfefferlesays Emerson wants a speedy trial and, to that end, she is skipping a preliminary hearing.

• White powder scare in Saskatoon likely linked to criminal harassment case
• Saskatoon's white powder scare cost $66K

Last week, five separate packages containing white powder weresent to five separate businesses across the city. Police and firefighters blocked off the area around all of the locations for hours while they examined the packages.

She is also choosing not to try and make bail.

Pfefferlesays Emerson thinks someone is out to get her and wouldn't feel safe on the street.

"She certainly has some concerns that her release in the community could cause safety issues for her, insofar as when this event is alleged to have occurred, she was in custody at the time," he said.

Pfefferlesays Emerson has an alibi for the day when the packages were delivered.

Locations where 5 packages dropped off

8 years ago

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Five suspicious packages were sent to downtown and north end businesses on Tuesday.

"We anticipate providing the Crown with certain information which would potentially lead to alibi evidence that would be able to be examined by the police in this case," he said.

Emerson will back in court Jan. 6. At that point,Pfefferlesaid he hoped to select trial dates for the spring.

Police and fire estimate the incident cost around $66,000 in overtime and material expenses.

Emerson also goes by the name Amanda May Totchek and is well known to police. It's believed the powder scare is linked to an ongoing criminal harassment case.

Two people who delivered the packages to the businesses were released by police after it was discovered they didn't know the contents.