Judge tosses delay request in Kelowna murder case

Photo: RCMP

Lorence Earl Williams

The preliminary inquiry into the murder of a Kelowna man in 2021 will take place next week despite attempts by the defense to have the six-day hearing delayed.

Lorence Williams, 41, appeared in Kelowna court via video Monday morning from the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Port Coquitlam.

He’s charged with second-degree murder in the May 2021 death of Thomas Chadwick outside a home in the 3400-block of Sexsmith Road.

It was an alleged crime that prompted the Kelowna RCMP to call for additional mental health resources in the community. B.C.'s police watchdog investigated the incident and cleared officers.

A preliminary inquiry into the charge is set to run five days starting Nov. 21 and an additional day in December. Preliminary inquiries are conducted into serious charges to give the defense an opportunity to explore the case and ensure there is enough evidence to warrant a trial.

Defense applied Monday to have the inquiry delayed, citing incomplete disclosure and more work needed to examine the Crown’s witnesses.

The Crown opposed the delay and successfully convinced Judge Andrew Tam that the file has taken long enough to get to the current stage already, and finding another five days of court time in Kelowna would push proceedings deep into next year.

The judge ruled that the defense was free to raise any additional issues related to disclosure as they arise during and prior to the actual trial.

Court heard that Williams is currently undergoing an assessment to determine if he can be found not criminally responsible for the alleged murder due to mental illness. It is not known when the psychiatric hospital will complete their report.

Also Monday, Judge Tam approved a pair of applications from the Crown and defense allowing an RCMP forensic witness and Williams to appear at next week’s preliminary inquiry by video.