Crown drops second-degree murder charge against 95-year-old B.C. senior

VERNON, B.C. – A charge of second-degree murder has been dropped against a 95-year-old Vernon, B.C., dementia patient.

The Criminal Justice Branch says Second World War veteran John “Jack” Furman remains confused, disoriented and in frail health and would likely be found unfit to stand trial if the murder charge were to proceed.

Branch spokesman Neil MacKenzie says officials appreciate the seriousness of the alleged offence and the tragic loss suffered by the family of 85-year-old victim William May, but pursuing the case is not in the public interest.

According to investigators, Furman showed no aggressive tendencies when he was admitted to the Polson Extended Care Unit in Vernon in early August but, just 10 days later, he was involved in a fight with May that resulted in the death of the younger man.

Furman is now receiving medical and psychiatric care at a facility in Kamloops, about 100 kilometres northwest of Vernon, and is expected to remain there.

The news release from the Criminal Justice Branch says steps have been taken to address any risk that the man present to other patients, to staff or to himself.