The preliminary inquiry into the murder of Roxanne Louie is expected to begin on February 1, 2016.
Image Credit: photo contributed
January 11, 2016 - 4:30 PM
PENTICTON - With a preliminary inquiry scheduled to begin in early February, defence counsel for both accused in the Roxanne Louie murder continue to seek full disclosure from Crown Prosecutor Iain Currie.
James Pennington, defence lawyer for Grace Robotti, and Robert Maxwell, defence lawyer for Pier Robotti appeared in court along with Crown Prosecutor Iain Currie to confirm the preliminary trial date for the two accused in Louie's death one year ago.
Pennington told court he was looking forward to receiving a “comprehensive disclosure package from the Crown prior to start of the preliminary inquiry, which is expected to begin on February 1 and run for two weeks.
Grace Robotti, 66, and her brother Pier, 62, were charged in the murder of Roxanne Louie, then 26, whose body was found northeast of Naramata approximately one year ago.
Louie was originally reported missing Jan. 4, 2015, by Grace Robotti, at whose residence Roxanne was supposed to have been staying with her son the night she was reported missing. Her body was discovered a few days later not far from Chute Lake.
Pier was originally charged with interfering with a dead body and accessory to murder, but those charges were upgraded in August, 2015 to second degree murder. His sister has also been charged with second degree murder.
Defence lawyer Pennington also told court he was still waiting for disclosure over a missiing interview police made with his client, as well as some telephone records and the results of residence searches of the accused.
Both he and Maxwell asked for a more detailed list of witnesses and Maxwell said a report on blood stain analysis had been in police hands since June 29, but had only been received by defence recently.
Crown Prosecutor Currie took responsibility for the error, saying he received the report in an email but failed to distribute it.
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News from © iNFOnews, 2016