The trial process for a former Westlock man accused of murdering his wife will continue this week in a Salmon Arm, B.C., courtroom.
Peter Beckett, 54, had a pre-trial conference scheduled for Sept. 25 after appearing in British Columbia Provincial Court last Tuesday, Sept. 18.
Beckett has made numerous court appearances since his Aug. 12, 2011 arrest in connection with the drowning death of his wife, Laura Letts Beckett.
In the B.C. court system, similar to the system in Alberta, a pre-trial conference involves the lawyers and the presiding judge discussing technical matters relating to the trial, and the proceedings are generally subject to publication bans. Trial dates are generally set at the conclusion of pre-trial conferences.
Letts Beckett died while vacationing in Shelter Bay Provincial Park near Revelstoke, B.C. in August 2010.
Police initially said the death resulted from her not wearing a life jacket and not being able to swim, but announced in June 2011 they were treating the matter as a homicide.
Beckett’s arrest and subsequent legal proceedings have generated a great deal of interest from media outlets in New Zealand, as well. Beckett is a former Napier City council member, having serving one term from 1998 to 2001 before moving to Canada.
