Court date in Beckett case delayed
A court appearance for the man charged with impaired driving in connection with the death of West Shore RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett has been adjourned until May 18.
The mother of two died early on April 5, 2016, after her RCMP cruiser 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 blood alcohol over .08 and refusing to provide a blood sample.
Fenton, who has not yet appeared in court and has not entered a plea, was scheduled to appear in Western Communities provincial court this morning.
Victoria lawyer Dale Marshall, who is representing Fenton, said the defence is ready to proceed.
“The Crown has requested it be adjourned for three weeks. They have policy considerations they have to address before we can move the file forward,” Marshall said Wednesday. “And I expect to move the file forward on May 18.”
Criminal Justice Branch spokesman Dan McLaughlin said the three-week adjournment is needed “to conclude resolution discussions.”
Fenton can choose to be tried in B.C. Supreme Court by judge alone or by judge and jury. If he chooses to be tried in provincial court, he must enter a plea of either guilty or not guilty at his next court appearance.
At the last court proceeding on April 6, Marshall and prosecutor Tim Stokes asked for a threeweek adjournment to prepare an agreed statement of facts.
“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 told the court.
Preparing an agreed statement of facts does not necessarily mean a trial will be avoided, but it could shorten matters, Marshall said at the time.
It’s still not known whether a West Shore RCMP officer will face charges in connection with the fatal crash. “The matter is still under investigation,” McLaughlin said.
In February, the Independent Investigations Office filed a report to Crown counsel “for consideration of charges” against a police officer.
According to the IIO statement, another RCMP officer tried to pull over the pickup truck before the collision. The driver of the truck did not stop and collided with Beckett’s police car in the intersection, killing her.
The IIO said its investigation focused on the actions of that RCMP officer, circumstances surrounding the collision and subsequent information provided to the RCMP by the officer.
After reviewing the investigation, the office’s chief civilian director forwarded a report to the Crown.
“This is required when the director considers that an officer may have committed an offence under any enactment,” the IIO statement said.
When a decision is reached, the Criminal Justice Branch will make a public statement on its conclusion, said McLaughlin.