Pickton preliminary almost over
WebPosted Jul 15 2003 02:13 PM PDTCBC
VANCOUVER - The final witness has testified at the preliminary hearing for Robert William Pickton – who faces 15 counts of first-degree murder in connection with missing women from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
 Pickton taking notes in court as preliminary began in January (CP PHOTO) |
Over the past six months, the Crown has presented hundreds of pieces of forensic evidence before the court.
And dozens of witnesses have testified about the women who disappeared, and the accused himself.
But none of it could be reported by the media, because of the publication ban in the case.
Next week, the Crown and defence will make their final submissions.
The Crown is also expected to indict Pickton on another seven charges as well.
Then the judge must decide whether there is enough evidence to send the 52-year-old Port Coquitlam pig farmer to trial on or any – or all – of those charges.
Mona
Wilson,
26 when she was last seen in November 2001.
Sereena Abotsway, 29 when she disappeared in August 2001.
Jacqueline McDonell, 23 when she was last seen in January 1999.
Diane Rock, 34 when last seen in October 2001.
Heather Bottomley, 25 when she disappeared in April 2001.
Andrea Joesbury, 22 when last seen in June 2001.
Brenda Wolfe, 32 when last seen in February 1999.
Georgina Papin, last seen in 1999.
Jennifer Furminger, last seen in 1999.
Helen Hallmark, last seen in 1997.
Patricia Johnson, last seen in March 2001.
Heather Chinnock, 30 when last seen in April 2001.
Tanya Holyk, 23 when last seen in October 1996.
Sherry Irving, 24 when last seen in 1997.
Inga Hall, 46 when last seen in February 1998.
Preliminary hearing nears end in massive B.C. serial-murder case
Canadian Press
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
PORT COQUITLAM, B.C. (CP) - The preliminary hearing for accused serial-killer Robert Pickton heard from its final witness on Tuesday.
The hearing, which began in January in provincial court, has adjourned until Monday when the Crown and defence lawyers will give their final submissions. That could take just one day and a ruling by the judge on whether to commit Pickton to trial could be made by late next week. A trial would not begin until at least next year.
Pickton is charged with 15 counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of women who disappeared from Vancouver's Downtown East Side.
Pickton was arrested in February of last year when the police began digging up his pig farm looking for evidence in the disappearances.
Police are still working at the farm.
Evidence submitted at the hearing can't be published under a sweeping publication ban.
© Copyright 2003 The Canadian Press
