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Families of two murdered women prepare for a long time in court

Wednesday, May 23, 2012 - 12:03 PM
By Carmen Weld & Natasha Riebe
Duncan

It’s a long road ahead for the families of two slain women in Duncan, looking for some closure.

One month after an arrest in the murders of Tyeshia Jones and Karrie Ann Stone, they experienced their first court delay.

Stone's mother, Bev Stone said she knows this will take a while.

“I sort of suspected that would happen that this is really just the start of it. So, I realize that the defence would likely want more time, but it is hard for the ones that are in waiting like me, Mary, and my family.”

She also said she knows the Canadian justice system can be slow.

“It is going to be a long road, I realize that our justice system is slow, and in this case all we can do is pray and hope that in the end this man will get the full extent of the law.”

Crown Prosecution told SunFM News, postponing court appearances is pretty standard in this kind of case.

A spokesperson for the Crown, Neil MacKenzie, said that this case, has been adjourned while the two sides get ready for months of appearances ahead.

“The normal process in a case is that we anticipate there will be a number of preliminary appearances particularly in a case of this seriousness while the disclosure process is completed, and that takes some time.”

"Disclosure" is the bundle of evidence in the case that the Crown compiles and presents to the defence, so both sides know what they're dealing with.

As for a plea, MacKenzie said they just don’t know when the accused will plea guilty or not guilty.

“Obviously, whether a plea is entered is in the hands of an accused person, or whether a guilty plea is entered is in the hands of the accused person. We would anticipate if the matter is to proceed to a hearing, there would be a preliminary inquiry in provincial court and ultimately a trial in Supreme Court.”

24-year-old William Elliott was charged in April with two counts of first-degree murder.

He is now set to make his first appearance June 26th via video link.