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Senior won’t face murder charge
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in a press release from the Criminal Justice Branch, “it was clear from The case of a 95-year-old Vernon the outset that Mr. Furman’s mental man charged with second degree state at the time of the alleged offence murder has been dropped. would be a significant issue at any Crown lawyer Stephen Lawhead trial. announced in Vernon Provincial “On the evidence available to Court Wednesday morning that a Crown counsel, it appeared that the stay of proceedings has been issued assault occurred while Mr. Furman in the matter against John (Jack) was in a delusional state arising out Daymouth Furman. of his advanced dementia.” “All of the available medical and May’s family were informed that a psychiatric information stay of proceedings would indicates Mr. Furman is be issued a couple of days unfit to stand trial and ago. there is no reasonable “Obviously it’s a very chance he will ever be fit,” tragic situation for them said Lawhead. but in all the circumstanc“Any safety concerns es they were very underregarding Mr. Furman standing,” said Lawhead. — Lawhead are being dealt with outFurman was placed side of the criminal jusin the Kamloops facility tice system appropriately. shortly after his arrest and “In all circumstances there’s no has remained there as part of his public interest in continuing with the conditions on the murder charge. He prosecution and today the charge was is receiving psychiatric and medial stayed.” care. Furman, a decorated Second How long he stays there, said World War veteran who suffers from Lawhead, is up to those treating him. severe advanced dementia and is Interior Health is conducting an being treated in a Kamloops care internal review into the incident. facility, was charged with second “I can’t get into specifics (of the degree murder in August in the death review) but I would like to idenof William (Bill) May, 85. tify the fact that the Criminal Justice The two men had been room- Branch decision speaks to the commates for four days at the Polson plex nature of the situation and the extended care facility, with Furman complexity of providing care with being admitted to the facility only 10 debilitating illnesses such as demendays before. tia,” said Karen Bloemink, IH’s execuOn Aug. 18, shortly before 11 tive director for residential services. p.m., RCMP officers were dispatched “We’re nearing the end of review to the facility after staff called 911 for this incident. We’re undertakto report that Furman had assaulted ing a review so we can enhance the May, who died of his injuries. safety for the residents in our care in Police reported there was no a broader sense.” history of aggressive behaviour on Bloemink said the August inciFurman’s part at Polson or on his dent is a, “tragic situation for everyown in the community. one that was involved at the facility Furman was taken into custody where this incident occurred, specifiand, based on information available cally the residents and their families at that time, Crown approved the but also for the staff.” second degree murder charge. Early details of the internal review The evidence indicated Furman are protected under the B.C. Evidence caused May’s death but, as written Act. ROGER KNOX
Morning Star Staff
“Mr. Furman is unfit to stand trial.”
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Sara Megaw (top left) and Kenzie Koshure perform a hoop dance while fishermen Daniel McLennan, Parker Munroe, Colton Colmorgen and Taiven Lewis represent the east coast and Tom Headington takes part in the Klondike number during BX Elementary School’s production of How Canada Came To Be, A Story of You and Me Wednesday at the school.
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