Accused Naramata killer Wade Cudmore looking at possible six month trial, to be held in Kelowna

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Wade Cudmore.

The first-degree murder trial of accused killer Wade Cudmore could take around six months, and has been moved to Kelowna.

In Penticton Monday during BC Supreme Court, Cudmore appeared via video from incarceration.

Cudmore is accused in the deaths of Carlo and Erick Fryer, brothers from Kamloops whose bodies were found outside of Naramata in May 2021. A co-accused, Anthony Graham, remains at large.

Cudmore has pleaded not guilty. A preliminary inquiry in October 2022 determined there was enough evidence to proceed to trial.

Court heard Monday that over December, the venue for the trial had been officially changed to Kelowna. The facilities in Penticton have a much smaller capacity, and Kelowna's courthouse has increased security.

Given this, plus an anticipated lengthy trial of possibly six months according to Crown counsel, the move made sense to all parties. Crown counsel also noted it is a "complex" case.

Now, the matter is still awaiting the assignment of a case management judge before a trial date can be fixed.

Cudmore has also expressed interest in scheduling a bail hearing. He is due back in court on Jan. 23, 2023 for a fix date appearance.

Police continue to investigate the murder of Cudmore's mother, Kathy Richardson, at her Naramata home in June 2021, one month after the Fryers' bodies were discovered.

Cudmore is not charged in relation to that crime, nor is anyone else at this time.