Sarah Beckett case ‘taking its toll’
Court proceedings delayed to April 27; accused does not appear or enter plea
Const. Sarah Beckett’s husband and colleagues filed into a Colwood courtroom Thursday morning only to learn the case against the man accused of causing her death would be adjourned until April 27.
Beckett, a 32-year-old mother of two, died early on April 5, 2016, after her police car was struck by a pickup truck at Peatt Road and Goldstream Avenue in Langford.
Kenneth Jacob Fenton, 28, is charged with impaired driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, flight from police causing death, driving with a blood alcohol level over .08 and refusing to provide a blood sample to police.
Fenton did not appear in court on Thursday and has not entered a plea.
Victoria lawyer Dale Marshall, who is representing Fenton, and prosecutor Tim Stokes asked for the threeweek adjournment to prepare an agreed statement of facts for the court to consider.
“We have had very productive discussions recently, and we are of the view that an agreed statement of facts may very well result in the matter being resolved,” Stokes said.
Outside court, Marshall said the Crown wanted some time to consider a proposal on how to move the file forward.
“We’ve been having discussions about what facts can be admitted,” he said.
Preparing an agreed statement of facts does not necessarily mean a trial will be avoided, but it could shorten matters, Marshall said.
“The delay is taking its toll on everybody,” the lawyer said, adding that Fenton was struggling like everyone else involved in the case.
West Shore RCMP Const. Alex Bérubé said the court process needs to be respected.
“Even though it’s a big delay, it’s a high-profile case. We need to just go along with what the lawyers are doing in this case. All we can do at this point is give our support to Sarah Beckett’s family,” Bérubé said.
Beckett’s husband, Brad Aschenbrenner, who arrived early for the brief court proceeding, has asked for privacy.
“Everyone can know this is very hard for the family, as well as Sarah’s colleagues,” Bérubé said. “All the first responder families everywhere can feel the strain of this case.
“But … we have to respect the decision of what is happening at this time. We can only hope that this case can bring closure to the family and the first responders that were all involved or touched by this case.”