234250
Vernon  

Murder charge dropped

A charge of second-degree murder has been stayed against a 15-year-old male in connection with the death of a man in Polson Park last August.

“That occurred in court this morning,” said Dan McLaughlin, spokesperson for the criminal justice branch, after speaking with the prosecutor in the case.

The body of the victim, Jason Hardy, was discovered near the lawn bowling clubhouse on Aug. 26. Hardy was 42 at the time of his death.

McLaughlin said the youth has entered a guilty plea for a single count of robbery in connection with a separate case and for breach of bail. The male, who cannot be identified because of his age, will next appear in court Sept. 13. A pre-sentence report and a psychiatric assessment have been requested.

As it stands, only one of the three people originally charged is still facing second-degree murder – 29-year-old Tal Kalum La Riviere.

A murder charge against 19-year-old Brandon Wellington of Vernon was stayed last month.



More Vernon News