The second trial for convicted killer Robert William Pickton may not proceed, the families of two victims have officially been informed.
Robert William Pickton, shown in a court sketch done during his trial, was sentenced in December to life in prison after his convictions on six second-degree murder charges.
(CBC) The families told CBC News on Monday that they were contacted by the Crown prosecutor through B.C.'s Victim Services program and told the trial on 20 charges of first-degree murder may be cancelled if appeals launched against Pickton's convictions on six second-degree murder charges do not succeed.
One of the family members said they were told not to make the information public.
Stan Lowe, a spokesman for the Crown's office, confirmed that the families had been called, but would not say why.
"We're currently in the process of contacting family members to provide them with an update on this prosecution. Now, we consider communications with family members to be private," he said.
Pickton stood trial in connection with the slaying of six of the 26 women and was convicted in December of second-degree murder on all six counts after an 11-month trial. In that trial, Pickton was sentenced to life in prison with 25 years before a possibility of parole.
He was supposed to be tried on the 20 remaining counts at a later date.
Family members contacted by CBC said this new development is yet another indication that justice isn't being done.
Full story
Should there be a second trial on the 20 remaining counts? Has justice already been done by sentencing Pickton to life in prison?
More...
(CBC)
One of the family members said they were told not to make the information public.
Stan Lowe, a spokesman for the Crown's office, confirmed that the families had been called, but would not say why.
"We're currently in the process of contacting family members to provide them with an update on this prosecution. Now, we consider communications with family members to be private," he said.
Pickton stood trial in connection with the slaying of six of the 26 women and was convicted in December of second-degree murder on all six counts after an 11-month trial. In that trial, Pickton was sentenced to life in prison with 25 years before a possibility of parole.
He was supposed to be tried on the 20 remaining counts at a later date.
Family members contacted by CBC said this new development is yet another indication that justice isn't being done.
Full story
Should there be a second trial on the 20 remaining counts? Has justice already been done by sentencing Pickton to life in prison?
More...