Man behind deadly boat crash on Shuswap Lake appealing conviction

KAMLOOPS – The man sentenced last week to three years behind bars for driving his speedboat into a houseboat on Shuswap Lake — killing one man and injuring several others — is appealing his conviction.

Defence lawyer Fred Kaatz confirmed today, June 9, an appeal has been filed on the grounds the trial was delayed, and there was a misapprehension of evidence in the case.

Leon Reinbrecht was sentenced to three years in prison earlier this month. Last October, Reinbrecht was convicted of two counts of criminal negligence, one causing death and the other causing bodily harm.

Houseboat operator Ken Brown was killed and many other people were injured in the July 2010 crash near Magna Bay.

Defence had filed an application earlier this year to stop proceedings due to lengthy delays in the trial, but Judge Sheri Donegan dismissed it and upheld his conviction.

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