TUESDAY, November 3, 2015
www.kamloopsthisweek.com
LOCAL NEWS
A5
QUIK-LINK III
• New Single Locking Bar • Hot-Dipped Galvanized Mount & Lift Frame • Shot Blasted & Coated Arctic Orange Corrosion-Resistant Powder Coated Blade
Needle found in Halloween candy Police are investigating a report of tainted candy after a North Kamloops parent found a sewing needle stuck inside a chocolate bar. Jennifer Suzanne posted video of the tainted candy on a popular Facebook page called Kamloops Shoplifters and Thieves Exposed. “My son and I found this in his Halloween candy that he got from somewhere on the North Shore between Extra Foods, NorKam school, Nicolani and Tim Hortons,” Suzanne wrote. “The package had no air in it and we looked for a hole, but did not find one. “When he ripped off the package and showed me the top, there was an indent like it was pressed, so he tore it apart. I’m sorry I wasn’t on the ball enough to get pictures or start the video when he was checking, but I was able to capture the outcome.
R001354563
“Please — I’m sharing this post so people can be aware that this can happen and to always check your children’s candy! I hope everyone else had a safe and happy Halloween.” RCMP Cpl. Cheryl Bush said the parent A still from video called police late Sunday. showing the “A parent reported that they had needle in a piece of chocolate. found a candy wrapper that appeared to Go online to have the air gone out of it and, upon furkamloopsthis ther examination, found a sewing needle week.com. inserted inside a chocolate bar,” she said. “This is a very stark reminder of the importance for parents to carefully ww.kamloopsdodge.com Kamloops inspect all treats that their children have, regardless of where City of w they were trick or treating,” Bush said. City of Kamloops Anyone who finds tainted candy, or with information about its source, is asked to call police at 250-828-3000 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477. Activity Programs Activity Programs
BEST DEALS ON
TRUCKS
Activity Programs
Jury now deciding fate of Gordon
https://ezregsvr.kamloops.ca/ezreg are not met. Programs are cancelled if the minimum numbers are not met.
Modern Contemporary Ballet $75 Modern Contemporary Ballet $75 Ages: 14-20 Ages: 14-20 International Children Dayon technique, FREE poise, This program is for the advanced dancer. Work This program is for the advanced dancer. Work on technique, poise, Attention kids,will in work celebration of International and flexibility. Dancers on the barre and centre floor. and flexibility. Dancers will work on the barre and centre floor.
Children’s Day join the Museum to create a special craft that celebrates you. Jul 14-18 Course: 102233 Jul 14-18 Course: 102233 Kamloops Museum and Archives 1:00 am to 2:30 pm 1:00 am to 2:30 pm Fri Nov 20 10:00‑3:30 PM Rainbow School of Dance Rainbow School of Dance room, Tomporowski said, while he and Thu 244344
MAN CHARGED IN CONNECTION TO 2013 FATAL FIRE TIM PETRUK
STAFF REPORTER
tim@kamloopsthisweek.com
Now that jurors have begun their deliberations in the manslaughter trial of a Kamloops man accused of setting a fatal house fire in 2013, KTW can tell you about some of the things that happened in their absence. David Gordon’s trial began last month in B.C. Supreme Court in Kamloops. He is accused of starting a fire in his downtown home on April 25, 2013, that killed Cheryl William, who was at the house as a guest. On Oct. 15, the first day of Gordon’s trial, eight family and friends of William showed up in white T-shirts with pictures of the victim’s face and the words “Justice for Cheryl.” Defence lawyer Ken Tessovitch argued that the T-shirts would have a prejudicial impact on jurors. B.C. Supreme Court Justice Hope Hyslop agreed, barring the William supporters from wearing the T-shirts anywhere on the grounds of the Kamloops Law Courts. Near the end of the Crown’s case, prosecutor Neil Flanagan called an expert witness to testify about how the fire burned and patterns in burn marks. Tessovitch took issue with the witness because the report he brought with him was not exactly the same as the one provided to defence in disclosure. Hyslop again sided with Tessovitch, tossing all of the expert’s evidence before it could go to jurors. The evidence heard by the jury painted a sad picture.
PleaseFor pre-register. Programs are canceled if the minimum registration please call (250) 828-3500 and please quote number are notprogram met. pre-register. number provided. For online registration visitnumbers Please Programs are canceled if the please minimum
Cheryl William died in an April 25, 2013, house fire at a home on St. Paul Street in downtown Kamloops.
Gordon had moved into the St. Paul Street home less than a week before the fire. He happened upon the living arrangement, court heard, after a chance encounter with William Tomporowski, who was looking for a roommate. Tomporowski testified he spotted a stranger sitting on a step and crying and asked what was wrong. The stranger, Gordon, said he was homeless and needed a place to live. Tomporowski said he offered Gordon a bedroom for a share of the rent. Court heard Gordon and his girlfriend became involved in an argument the night of the fire. She called police saying she was afraid for her safety and was taken to a women’s shelter for the night. Gordon then retreated into his bed-
William crawled into bed in the living Fairy Tales and Musicals $175 Fairy Tales and Musicals $175 room. Ages: 9-12 Children will work on building skills while acting, singing, and Tomporowski said Gordon became Ages: 9-12 will work oncrafts building skills singing, dancing. Stage are also partwhile of thisacting, program. Join theand gang at disruptive and started making a lot of Children Cookie Time Parent $55 Rainbow for a fun afternoon this summer. dancing. Stage crafts are also part of this program. Join the gang at noise. A few minutes later, court heard, 1st child FREE Gordon came out of his bedroom and Rainbow for a fun afternoon this summer. Additional children $25 ea. Jul 14-18 Course: 102186 said he had started a fire before fleeing Get a head start onamyour holiday baking. Stock 3:00 to 5:30 pm Jul 14-18 Course: 102186 new recipes and learn the home. your cookie jar Rainbow with some School of Dance 3:00fresh am toideas 5:30 pm Tomporowski poured a jug of water variations and on traditional cookie Rainbow School of Dance on the blaze — which started in a box of Oronge’s Girls Only Clinic $20 techniques. Fun Skate for the whole family. No boys allowed! It does notSchool matter if you have never stepped on a clothing — but it continued to grow. Norkam Secondary skateboard or have beenClinic skating for years. We will help allPM skill levels Girls Skate $20 He said he tried to awaken William, Oronge’s Nov 30 Only 6:00‑8:00 master street,Ittransition, all the tricks. Bring allowed! does notand matter if fun youskateboarding have never stepped on a but she was unresponsive. He said he No boys Mon 245234 your helmet, waterfor bottle, snack, positive attitude. or haveskateboard, been skating years. We and will ahelp all skill level then crawled beneath the smoke to a skateboard Do not miss out on all the fun. HELMETS ARE MANDATORY. master street, transition, and all the fun skateboarding tricks. Bring door and left the house. William was removed from the burn- your helmet, water99738 bottle, snack, and a positive attitude Jul 11 skateboard, Course: ing home by firefighters. She died in hos-Do not miss out on all the 9:00fun. am HELMETS to 11:00 amARE MANDATORY. New! Tots ‑McArthur Island Park $35 pital four days later. Ball Sports Ages: 3‑5 yrs Gordon was arrested outside the home Jul 11 Course: 99738 An 15 introduction to a variety of fundamental Aug Course: 99739 and has been in custody since. He admit9:00 am to 11:00 am movement skills using Children will learn 9:00 amIsland toballs. 11:00 am ted to police that he started the fire, but McArthur Park through fun and active games, songs, and McArthur Island Park Tessovitch told jurors that was a false activities. Parent participation welcome. Wear confession. Aug 15your runners! Course: 99739 Tessovitch also suggested Sunshine Kids9:00 am to 11:00 am $30 Hal Rogers Tomporowski started the fire out of frusMcArthur Island Park 9:00‑9:45 AM Ages: 9-12 Nov 9‑30 tration with Gordon’s behaviour. This creating Monsunny experience includes singing, painting, playing, 242540 Flanagan asked jurors to use common and Enjoy a week of mini-hikes, bubbles, water Novpretending. 9‑30 10:00‑10:45 AMplay and more. Bring a snack for our picnic. MonKids 242541 sense and return a guilty verdict, pointing Sunshine $30 largely to the confession and to the fact Ages: 9-12 Jul 15-17 Course: 101500 Gordon fled the home after the fire brokeThis sunny experience includes singing, painting, playing, creating 11:15 am to 1:15 pm out. and pretending. Enjoy aHal week of mini-hikes, bubbles, water play and Rogers Centre William’s family and friends have beenmore. Bring a snack for our picnic.Danielle Duperreault Instructor: in the courtroom for each of the 13 days of Gordon’s trial. Jul 22-24 Course: 101501 Jul 15-17 Course: 101500 Many of them wept during closing 11:15 am to 1:15 pm 11:15 am to 1:15 pm Parkview Activity Centre submissions as Flanagan recounted the Hal Rogers Centre Intructor: Leanna Smeaton circumstances of her death. Instructor: Danielle Duperreault Go to kamloopsthisweek.com for updates on the jury’s verdict. Jul 22-24
More time to finish report on mom accused of murder A judge has given a psychiatrist another month to finish a report on a Kamloops mother charged with murder in connection to the 2011 death of her newborn son. Courtney Fawn Saul did not appear in court on Monday as lawyers asked for more time for the
report to be completed. Saul, 23, was charged earlier this year with murder following an investigation into the Dec. 15, 2011, death of her son, George Carlos Saul. The Crown alleges the baby was killed “a few hours” after birth. Last month, a judge ordered a psychi-
atric assessment for Saul, who is not in custody. Lawyers hoped to have the report completed by this week, but that was not the case. Saul is due back in court on Dec. 3, at which time it is anticipated the completed report can be read by a judge.
Course: 101501 11:15 am to 1:15 pm Parkview Activity Centre Intructor: Leanna Smeaton
To register call 250-828-3500 or visit www.kamloops.ca/ezreg
To register call 250-828-3500 or visit www.kamloops.ca/ezreg
To register call 250-828-3500 or visit www.kamloops.ca/ezreg