Lawyers want trial for murder of Roxanne Louie moved from Penticton

PENTICTON – If lawyers representing the accused murderers of Roxanne Louie have their way, the murder trial will not take place in a Penticton courtroom.

Defence counsel for Grace Robotti, 66, and Pier Robotti, 62, who face murder charges in Louie's death, are applying in Penticton Supreme court to move the trial outside the city.

Don Skogstad, defence lawyer for Pie, said today, Apr. 25, he’s ready to apply for a change of venue to either Kelowna or Vancouver. James Pennington, lawyer for co-accused Grace Robotti, was also present in court today. The application, if successful, would apply to both accused.

Louie, 26, went missing in early January, 2015. Her body was found on a forestry road northeast of Naramata.

Skogstad cited publicity and safety reasons for changing the location of the trial, adding he hasn’t received a response from Crown over the matter, which has been adjourned to July 8.

John Swanson took over as Crown Prosecutor from Iain Currie, who withdrew from the trial earlier this month after relocating to another jurisdiction.


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Steve Arstad


I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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