B.C. court tosses former Vernon gang members’ bid to appeal murder convictions

VERNON – Three members of a former Vernon gang have lost their bid to have murder and other convictions overturned.

Peter Manolakos, Leslie Podolski and Sheldon O'Donnell were found guilty in the drug-related killings of three men.

They appealed a B.C. Supreme Court judge's pre-trial decision on the status of a confidential informant, saying they were excluded from the hearings.

But the Appeal Court of B.C. ruled there were no grounds to overturn the 2012 convictions.

Manolakos was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2008 shooting of Ronald Thom and manslaughter in the death of David Marnuik in 2004.

O'Donnell was convicted of first-degree murder in Thom's slaying and second-degree murder in the deaths of Marnuik and Thomas Bryce while Podolski was found guilty of first-degree murder in Marnuik's death.

Join the Conversation!

Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community?

Create a free account

Howard Alexander

Assistant Editor Howard Alexander comes to iNFOnews.ca from the broadcasting side of the media business.

Howard has been a reporter, news anchor, talk show host and news director, first in Saskatchewan and then the Okanagan.

He moved his family to Vernon in the 90s and is proud to call the Okanagan home.

If you have an event to share contact Howard at 250-309-5343or email halexander@infonews.ca.

Related Articles