The man facing charges in connection to the death of West Shore RCMP officer Const. Sarah Beckett was due in court this morning. However, while his legal representation was present, Kenneth Jacob Fenton was not in the Western Communities courtroom.
The Crown and Fenton’s legal team, which includes Dale Marshall and Chris Massey from Victoria-based Marshall Allen and Massey, jointly asked that the case be adjourned until April 27 to allow for further discussions between Crown council and the defense.
The lawyers are working on an agreed statement of facts and what was termed as “positive” discussions between the Crown and defense are ongoing.
“We’ve been having discussions about what facts can be admitted,” Marshall told reporters.
Marshall added that he’s hopeful the case can proceed on April 27.
“(The delays) have taken a toll on everybody…(but) an accused person is entitled to have all of the disclosure and all of the material before they are required to make a decision. That happened a few weeks ago. We’ve addressed the Crown several weeks ago with a proposal as how to move forward and now we’re waiting for a response,” he said.
Fenton is facing five charges in relation to the Apr. 5, 2016 crash at the Goldstream Avenue and Peatt Road intersection in Langford. They include impaired driving causing death, failing to stop while being pursued by a peace officer, impaired care and control causing death, operating a motor vehicle in a manner dangerous to the public causing death, and knowing or ought to have known that his care and control of a motor vehicle caused an accident resulting in death.
“I can’t speak for the family but I think everyone can know that this is a hard time for the family as well as Sarah’s colleagues,” said Const. Alex Berube, West Shore RCMP media relations officer. “All of the first responders family everywhere can feel the strain of this case but we need to respect the decision of what is happening at this time.”
