Accused murderer in court Thursday

Judge will decide if there is enough evidence to warrant a trial

A West Kelowna man accused of killing his wife in 2015 appeared in court Thursday for the start of his preliminary inquiry.

On May 26, 2017, Kevin Costin was arrested and charged in the murder of Hazel Budiongan, who was found dead inside her Boucherie Road home on Nov. 4, 2015.

The home had been set on fire, although the damage was not extensive. Budiongan’s body was found when RCMP and West Kelowna Fire Rescue responded to a fire call at 1:47 a.m.

Costin, 58, was charged with second-degree murder, arson and indignity to human remains. Budiongan was 37. Costin’s preliminary inquiry began Thursday in a Kelowna court. A preliminary inquiry is used to determine if the Crown has sufficient evidence to warrant the matter moving forward to trial.

Evidence heard at the preliminary inquiry is protected by a publication ban.

Crown prosecutor Colin Forsyth said he planned to call 17 witnesses during the preliminary inquiry, which he expected to last five to six days.

Witnesses are to include civilians, police officers, emergency health service people, firefighters, nurses and a pathologist.

Costin sat quietly in the prisoner’s box in the courtroom wearing the inmate uniform of a red T-shirt and pants, with short brown hair.

He showed no emotion during Thursday’s proceedings as he watched Forsyth address the judge.

Family members of the victim sat on the other side of the courtroom in the public gallery.