Grab the wieners - fire ban lifted
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The Similkameen
Volume 65 Issue 35
Wednesday, September 2, 2015
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We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund of the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Princeton killer seeks mistrial Dale Boyd Black Press
Overlooked deliberation options for the jury may lead to a mistrial on an attempted murder charge that a Princeton man was found guilty of in April. John Ike Koopmans was found guilty for the second-degree murders of Robert Keith Wharton, 43, and Rosemary Fox, 32, as well as the attempted murder of Bradley Martin that took place in Princeton on March 30, 2013. Defence counsel for Koopmans, Don Skogstad, said in Supreme Court in Penticton on Monday that he is putting forward an application for a mistrial on the count of attempted murder, due to the fact that the jury was not given options for lesser charges prior to their deliberations. “We forgot — Me, (Justice Miriam Maisonville) and the Crown that when you have a charge of attempted murder you don’t just give the jury the option of guilty/not guilty,” Skogstad said. The last few days of the eight-week trial were “strenuous” prior to the jury retiring to discuss their verdict, Skogstad said. “You’re supposed to say as well that it may not have been attempted murder, it may
have been aggravated assault, assault causing bodily harm,” Skogstad said. “Lesser charges should have been left with the jury on that one, just as manslaughter was left with the jury on the murder charge, that was done, this was overlooked,” Skogstad said. If the application is upheld, the verdict on the attempted murder charge will be nullified. Whether or not to hold a re-trial is at the discretion of the Crown. The attempted murder charge would “go back to square one” Skogstad said. “There would be no verdict on it and it would be an outstanding charge for the Crown to do with what they wished, including re-trial,” Skogstad said. Crown prosecutor Frank Dubenski and Koopmans’ defence counsel attended the brief Supreme Court hearing via telephone on Monday. A tentative date for the matter to return to court was set for Sept. 8. Three days are to be scheduled, one for the application for a mistrial and two for the sentencing of Koopmans, who faces two mandatory life Mark Brett sentences regardless. However, those dates John Ike Koopmans was found guilty for the second-degree murders of Robert Keith may change according to Skogstad. Wharton, 43, and Rosemary Fox, 32, as well as the attempted murder of Bradley Martin that took place in Princeton on March 30, 2013.
Organizers raise hopes for Terry Fox Run Andrea DeMeer Spotlight Staff
Last year’s Terry Fox Run was everything organizers could have hoped for. So this year they are hoping for more. “I thought we did really well last year and the people who showed up were just beautiful,” said Holly Fenrick, Princeton’s run organizer. Fenrick resurrected the local event in 2014, after a four-year hiatus. One hundred and nine people participated, and raised $2,300.
“Last year I was nervous and scared. I thought, ‘am I going to get anyone to come?’ And then everybody showed up and it was so impressive,” she said. “We had families. We had dogs. We had Moms and Grandmas and Grandpas and it was a lovely experience and I’m hoping that will be the same this year.” Fenrick said the volunteers and members of the business community who came forward “really shined in my eyes…everybody jumped in together to help.” This year the goal is 150 participants, and $3,500 in recognition of the 35th anniversary
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of the event. Fenrick has long been a fan of the Terry Fox story, and her “inspiration” binder includes stories and photos of the iconic Canadian, as well as pictures of her kids running as youngsters, and pictures of her sister who is a cancer survivor. This year’s run will be held September 20th beginning in Veterans’ Square, and while there are 3, 5 and 7 km legs to the event “it’s really not about how far you go. For those people who are in a scooter or a wheelchair…just come out and be a part of it.”
Pledge forms are available online at www. terryfox.org, or can be picked up at Valley First Insurance on Tapton Avenue. Fenrick also has Terry Fox t-shirts for sale, and encourages anyone who is a cancer survivor to visit the Terry Fox website and register to receive a free Terry’s Team shirt. “I’d like to see a lot more of them in the run this year….They are basically showing that research is making a difference and every little bit helps.” For more information or to make a donation contact Fenrick at 250-295-7051.