Physical distancing protocols expose shortcomings at Penticton courthouse

The courthouse in Penticton is having trouble handling crowds in the public gallery thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

The sentencing hearing for Kiera Bourque, who entered a guilty plea on a charge of manslaughter in the death of Devon Blackmore last January, was scheduled for Penticton Supreme court today, Sept. 18, but COVID-19 protocols resulted in some unusual courtroom configurations for those who wanted to watch the proceedings.

“It’s not business as usual in the court system,” Judge Gary Weatherill told the court.

Weatherill said due to social distancing protocols “facilities are limited in the Penticton courthouse, which are limited at the best of times.”

He said more people showed up for the gallery than was predicted, and could not be accommodated safely.

Weatherill said it had been decided in a pre-sentencing conference last week that the families of the victim and accused would be accommodated in different courtrooms.

Reporters were told to dial into a conference call to hear today’s proceedings.


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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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