judge

Man accused in Armstrong woman’s death ordered to stand trial

VERNON - The man accused of killing an Armstrong mother of two has been ordered to stand trial. Logan Scott, 31, of Salmon Arm was charged with manslaughter and theft under $5,000 in August 2014, nine months after Jillian McKinty, 27, was found dead in her Armstrong home. Following a preliminary inquiry this week in...

Vernon judge ruffles feathers by refusing to sentence alleged fraudster

"I CAN’T BE THROWING PEOPLE IN JAIL WHO SAY ‘I DIDN’T DO IT’" VERNON - A bit of courthouse drama unfolded at the Vernon Law Courts Monday when a judge refused to sentence an accused fraudster on charges she wouldn’t admit to committing. Desiree Dorothy Pelletier is charged with forgery, theft of $5,000 or under...

Former Vernon Mountie to stand trial this summer on child porn charges

VERNON - A former Vernon mountie charged with possession of child pornography will stand trial this summer. Ryan Hampton, 37, was scheduled to start his trial Mar. 2 in Vernon Supreme Court but his case has now been put over until July. It has also been moved to the Kelowna courthouse. Hampton, a former police...

Changes will ensure prisoners’ privacy during strip searches: RCMP

KELOWNA – Local RCMP Supt. Nick Romanchuk says after being chastised by a provincial judge for illegally broadcasting images of strip searches to a guard room at his detachment, changes have been made that will ensure privacy for prisoners. “I’m not going to get into the intricate details of what’s in there but suffice it...

Arsonist admits to burning down West Kelowna Lion’s Hall

KELOWNA – Kerry Robert Cooper pleaded guilty Thursday morning to burning down the West Kelowna Lion’s Hall. Cooper, 30, entered the plea from North Fraser Pre-Trial, declining legal representation. Crown prosecutor Dave Grabavac says Cooper admitted to the Sept. 1 arson after seeing video footage of him buying gas, walking in the direction of the...

Kelowna RCMP ‘routinely’ breach privacy during strip searches: Judge

KELOWNA – Kelowna RCMP "routinely" violate the right to privacy of female prisoners during strip searches at the detachment and show "ignorance of the law" on the subject, according to a ruling from a provincial court judge. Judge Ellen Burdett said local Mounties' practice of recording and broadcasting female strip searches to a guard room...

Former accountant handed jail time for fraud schemes in Vernon

"IT MAKES ME WONDER HOW I FELL FOR HER THE LAST TIME:" JUDGE VERNON - A former accountant who tried to cash a forged cheque grew more sophisticated in her ploys since her last court appearance for fraud, a Vernon provincial court judge said. Abigail Marie Mcelman, 36, was arrested at Vernon’s Venue Financial Centre...

Accused’s bail release reversed after judge’s error

KAMLOOPS – On Friday afternoon, a man previously released on bail was put back behind bars before his trial due to a provincial court judge’s error. Jeremy Allen, 34, faces domestic violence related charges both in Kamloops and Kelowna courts. On July 24, Judge Len Marchand released him on bail for both files. As the...

Former Kamloops judge seeks return to justice with NDP nomination

KAMLOOPS – Calling the Harper government “ruthless, arrogant and out of touch,” Kamloops lawyer Bill Sundhu made his pitch for a federal New Democratic Party nomination in a press release this morning. Sundhu cited several issues Canadians face - saying they are either “ignored or trivialized or worse – belittled.” He cites climate change, heath...

Vernon man sues Aeroplan over cancellation of points

KELOWNA – An Vernon man claiming thousands of dollars in damages as a result of a consumer loyalty program that cancelled his points, will have to wait for another lawsuit to be settled before his case can be heard. John David Romanchuk alleges Aeroplan, a program where members accumulate points for making purchases, unilaterally cancelled...

Two locals to receive Order of B.C.

KAMLOOPS - Two local men will be among the 25 British Columbians to be appointed to the Order of B.C. this year. Roger Barnsley and Hon. Leonard Marchand are among those who will receive the award, given to people who have contributed to the province in extraordinary ways. Barnsley, as president of the University College...

This judge means business

PENTICTON — A Penticton Provincial judge laid into an offender for not following the rules of his conditional sentence. Judge Gregory Koturbash was stern as he spoke to Kevin Forgaard, who was under house arrest for a break and enter offense last year. A condition of the sentence was that he not leave the confines...