Ball players busy College baseball team to host first home games. Page 27
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Hearing underway for man accused in mill shooting BY KaRL YU THe NewS BULLeTiN
The preliminary hearing for the accused in the April 30 shooting at Western Forest Products mill began Tuesday and is expected to end tomorrow (March 13). Kevin Douglas Addison, 47 at the time of the incident, stands charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. The hearing will determine whether there is enough evidence for Addison to stand trial. A publication ban was imposed on evidence presented over the four days. “Generally speaking, in a preliminary inquiry, evidence is presented, sometimes admissions are made, just to save time, other times they’re not, but it’s some of the same features as a trial. Witnesses are called and questioned and the court receives the evidence,” said John Gustafson, Addison’s legal counsel. The Crown can call witnesses and although he couldn’t comment specifically on the Addison hearing, Gustafson said the defence has the option of calling evidence at a preliminary hearing, although it is quite rare. He said a plea wouldn’t be forthcoming at the hearing. “That doesn’t happen until the matter is before the supreme court,” said Gustafson. The courtroom was packed Tuesday and proceedings were moved to a larger venue for the duration of the hearing. Addison was present Tuesday, clad in a black and grey and wearing glasses. reporter@nanaimobulletin.com
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RCMP ANNOUNCES it will centralize its operational communications at Courtenay location. BY TaMaRa CUNNINgHaM THe NewS BULLeTiN
CHRIS BUSH/THe NewS BUlleTIN
Mist-adventure Fog in Nanaimo Harbour veiled waterfront panoramas Tuesday. The shroud of low-lying cloud made for an element of mystery on a morning walk, but also grounded harbour-based aircraft and made visual navigation between Nanaimo and nearby islands nearly impossible at times. Fog has also been responsible for delayed and cancelled flights at airports on the Island and Lower Mainland.
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The city will reconsider its 911 contract with the RCMP after the police force announced dispatch will no longer be based out of Nanaimo. The RCMP announced plans Friday to close its Nanaimo operational communications centre and consolidate operations in Courtenay this November. The decision isn’t expected to change service levels to the public or police, but will affect 21 employees and stall 911 contract negotiations between the RCMP and Central Island 911 Partnership as officials consider whether they want calls answered at the north Island centre. “It’s a different complexion now … than what we were looking at two weeks ago,” said Mike Dietrich, the city’s manager of police support services, who was shocked by the RCMP’s recent announcement.
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“[What] we were talking about before was to have the RCMP manage our 911 function from Nanaimo, now they are not going to be here.” According to Lois Karr, manager of operational communication centres of the division, the RCMP has been looking at integration of its operational communication centres for the last two decades, understanding they are “way more productive” when combined. It ensures there’s not a duplication of technology and administration and there are cost savings, she said, adding unlike Nanaimo, Courtenay had the technology and the room for expansion. Karr said 21 full-time employees have been offered transfers. The integrated centre was not part of previous 911 discussions with the partnership. See ‘CITY’ /3
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