Trial date set for man accused of killing wife

Kevin Costin faces charges of 2nd-degree murder, arson, indignity to human remains

Appearing almost chipper and talkative Monday in B.C. Supreme Court, the West Kelowna man accused of killing his wife in 2015 and setting her house on fire will go to trial next year.

Kevin Costin, 58, appeared via video from the Okanagan Correctional Centre in Oliver before Judge Thomas Crabtree, who was presiding over courtroom No. 1 in Kelowna.

Costin could be seen striding into the little grey-painted room at the prison used for video conferencing, sitting down and cheerily saying: “Good morning, your honour.”

Costin kept eye contact with the camera at all times.

Clean-shaven and balding, Costin wore the prison-issue orange T-shirt and what appeared to be either orange long shorts or capri pants.

The judge spoke with lawyers in the courtroom, quickly discussing dates, and then set Costin’s murder trial for July 22 to Aug. 19, 2019.

Costin will remain in custody until the trial begins almost a year from now.

“Yes, your honour,” replied Costin when asked if he understood the timing.

Excused by the judge, Costin said: “Thank you, your honour.”

The entire proceeding took about two minutes.

Costin is charged in the May 26, 2017, killing of his wife, Hazel Budiongan, 37.

That’s when she was found dead inside her home on Boucherie Road by RCMP and West Kelowna Fire Rescue, who were responding to an earlymorning fire call.

In addition to second-degree murder, Costin is charged with arson and indignity to human remains.

Costin’s preliminary inquiry was held last month to determine if there was enough evidence to move ahead to a trial.