WATCH: Another delay in case of Jake Fenton, the man charged in West Shore RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett’s death. Is a plea deal in the works? Tess van Straaten reports.
Constable Sarah Beckett’s husband and loved ones leave court Thursday morning, after yet another delay in the case.
“This is a very hard time for the family as well as Sarah’s colleagues,” Const. Alex Bérubé of West Shore RCMP told CHEK News.
It was a year ago, on April 5, 2016, that the 32-year-old mother of two was tragically killed in Langford after a pick-up truck slammed into her RCMP cruiser.
Kenneth Jacob Fenton, better known as Jake Fenton, is facing five charges including impaired driving causing death and dangerous driving causing death.
After months of delays, he was supposed to finally enter a plea Thursday morning but lawyers on both sides asked the court for another delay.
“Even though it’s a big delay in this case, it’s a high profile case so we just need to respect what the lawyers are doing and provide support to Sarah Beckett’s family,” Const. Bérubé told CHEK News.
Court was told the two sides are working on an agreed statement of facts. The crown says they’ve had “very productive discussions recently” with the defence and they’re hopeful the agreed statement of facts will resolve this matter.
“We addressed the crown several weeks ago with a proposal as to how to move forward and now we’re waiting for a response,” defence lawyer Dale Marshall said outside the Western Communities Courthouse.
The defence wouldn’t confirm whether that means Fenton is going to take a plea deal but his lawyers have now reviewed the Independent Investigations Office report into the crash.
It hasn’t yet been made public but it recommends a West Shore RCMP officer involved in the police pursuit before the crash be charged.
A spokesperson for the Criminal Justice Branch says a decision on charges hasn’t yet been made.
A final decision hasn’t been made…but the strain of the case is taking a toll on Sarah Beckett’s family and colleagues.
“All we can hope is this case can bring some closure to family and the first responders that were all involved or touched by this case,” says Const. Bérubé.
Fenton, who is out on bail, didn’t appear in court.
The case has been adjourned until April 27th.
Kenneth Jacob Fenton in an undated photo/Facebook
Tess van Straaten
