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Kelowna  

Rutland murder in court

Friends of Christopher Ausman, a 32-year-old man found dead in 2014, filled a Kelowna courtroom, Monday.

Details heard in court left many distraught. Friends and family of Ausman were in tears.

Ausman’s death was originally described as “suspicious,” but was upgraded to homicide several days later.

Steven Pirko was charged with second-degree murder on Nov. 18, 2016, almost three years after the death.

Ausman was found in a pool of blood on the 100 block of Highway 33 on the morning of Jan. 25.

Friends said Ausman, a young father, was playing a poker game at a friend’s house in Rutland that night.

Monday was the start of an expected three-day preliminary inquiry to determine if the Crown's case is strong enough to proceed to trial.

Evidence heard at a preliminary inquiry is protected under a publication ban.

Pirko’s mother was also in court and left in tears. 

The victim's father, Eric Ausman, has been a civilian member of the RCMP in Cranbrook for more than 20 years.



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