Accused bus stabber makes court appearance in Kelowna

KELOWNA – Nearly one year after a Kelowna man was stabbed to death in an allegedly unprovoked and brutal attack on a transit bus, the suspect is in court to find out if there is enough evidence for the trial to proceed.

Tyler Jack Newton, 25, is charged with second degree murder for stabbing 55-year-old Kelowna Flightcraft employee Caesar Rosales, who died at the scene last October.

Rosales was a much-loved member of the community and his violent and seemingly senseless death while returning home from shopping shocked the community.

The preliminary inquiry began Tuesday and is expected to last several days.

Newton, who has been in custody since his arrest nearly one year ago, has an extensive criminal history going back to 2008, when he was charged with break and enter and theft over $5,000. He has appeared in court nearly every year since then on charges ranging from possession of stolen property and drugs to theft of a motor vehicle.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infotelnews.ca or call 250-718-2724.