Wednesday October 28, 2015 www.saobserver.net $1.25 GST Included
Reinbrecht found guilty Fatal houseboat crash: Judge rules speedboat operator’s behaviour reckless. safety of his passengers and others. “It constitutes a pattern of wanton KAMlOOPS THIS WeeK or reckless behaviour that amounts Travelling on the blackness of to a marked and substantial deparShuswap lake more than five years ture from the standard of care of a ago, leon Reinbrecht piloted his reasonably prudent operator in the speedboat too fast, wasn’t look- circumstances,” donegan said. ing for hazards and did not follow Brown’s sister, Patty Oliver, said a consistent course when he struck the verdict comes as a relief after a houseboat, killing its operator, a more than five years of awaiting jusB.c. Supreme court justice ruled. tice. Justice Sheri donegan found leon “We all knew in our minds he was Reinbrecht guilty on Tuesday of guilty,” said Oliver, who watched criminal negligence causing death the trial that spanned 30 days of trial and criminal negligence time over six months. causing bodily harm “It wasn’t intentional. in connection with the It was just stupid.” July 3, 2010 crash in Oliver said family and Magna Bay that left friends, along with peohouseboat operator ple who are still injured Ken Brown dead at the from the crash, want an scene and at least five acknowledgement from other people injured. Reinbrecht. The resulting impact “You made a misfrom the crash followtake,” she said. “Own ing post-canada day Leon Reinbrecht up to what you did.” fireworks on the lake Found Guilty oF However, it’s not resulted in Reinbrecht’s clear if donegan’s rulneGliGence boat coming to a stop ing is the last word for inside the houseboat. Reinbrecht. Reinbrecht’s defence lawyers sugdefence lawyer Joe doyle earlier gested the crown had not proven filed a charter application, putting Reinbrecht was piloting his speed- the court on notice he reserves the boat dangerously, suggesting in- right to challenge any conviction stead Brown was at fault because his based on unreasonable delays. He houseboat was not properly lit and told donegan he will take instruche was intoxicated. tion from Reinbrecht whether he But donegan agreed with crown wants to continue that application, prosecutors camille cook and neil which has yet to be heard. Flanagan that there is ample eviThe trial heard from more than dence Reinbrecht’s “joyride” that 50 witnesses, many of whom were night — after he dropped off several on shore or aboard a boat that night. passengers on shore and returned for The crash happened after boat trafa nighttime cruise at speeds between fic on the lake had thinned out, about 30 and 40 m.p.h. (48 to 64 km/h), 11:15 p.m. Brown was piloting a cutting doughnuts and zig-zagging See Brown on page A2 — was reckless and endangered the By Cam Fortems
James muRRay/OBSeRveR
Restoration effort Sqitxleqs and Shawn Billy look out from inside a summer home constructed during the restoration work that took place Saturday at the Switzmalph Cultural Village. Members of the Neskonlith Band held the work party to revisit the dream late elder Mary Thomas had for her land near the mouth of the Salmon River. Volunteers worked to restore riverside trails and rebuild a number of structures, including a sweat lodge and smokehouse. The work culminated in the afternoon with a First Nations feast.
This week This year’s sockeye salmon run produces extremely low numbers. See more on A10. The Silverbacks are tasting their share of victories, winning their last four games. See A15.
Index Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Life & Times ............... A8 Time Out..................... A9 Sports................A15-A18 Arts & Events ... A19-A22 Vol. 108, No. 43, 44 pages