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Further delay for accused in Beckett crash death

Lawyer for Kenneth Jacob Fenton awaiting final report from Independent Investigation Office before entering plea

The lawyer for Kenneth Jacob Fenton said his client won't be entering a plea until an Independent Investigation Office's report is complete and they have full disclosure.

Fenton, facing five charges in relation to the crash that killed West Shore RCMP officer Const. Sarah Beckett in April, was due to appear in Western Communities Court this morning (Jan. 26) but has had his arraignment date pushed back to Feb. 9.

This marks the fourth time that the arraignment has been delayed.

Dale Marshall, Fenton's lawyer, said he appreciates these delays are tough to take for those involved in the case.

"I'm sure it's very difficult for everybody involved in this matter. You can imagine how difficult it is to get through the material. It took six months to investigate. There's a lot of material to get through," he said.

"As you can imagine, everybody that's touched by this is struggling," he added.

Beckett's police cruiser was struck at approximately 3:30 a.m. while travelling through the intersection at Goldstream Avenue and Peatt Road in Langford on April 5.

Fenton is facing charges including impaired driving causing death, failing to stop while being pursued by a peace officer and operating a motor vehicle in a manner dangerous to the public causing death.

joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com