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Accused murderer back in Penticton court on Wednesday

The ex-RCMP officer accused of murdering his common-law wife will wait until Wednesday to deal with a breach of bail conditions.
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Accused killer Keith Wiens is led from the Penticton courthouse in handcuffs Monday morning following his appearance on an alleged bail violation.

The ex-RCMP officer accused of murdering his common-law wife will wait until Wednesday to deal with a breach of bail conditions.

Keith Wiens appeared in Supreme Court Monday dressed in a black shirt, jeans and shackled in handcuffs. As he slowly sat down in the prisoner's box, Wiens glanced at the gallery where victim Lynn Kalmring's family sat.

"Coward," said someone from the gallery as Wiens turned and sat down.

Defence lawyer Tyrone Duerr, who was acting as an agent for Wiens lawyer Don Skogstad, asked for and was granted by Justice Austin Cullen an adjournment for the breach to be dealt with on Wednesday at 10 a.m. He said Skogstad was out of the country and would be back to appear on the breach then. As well, Duerr said it would give time to have Justice Peter Rogers, who originally ordered Wiens bail conditions, to hear evidence of the breach. Rogers released Wiens on bail conditions in late August after finding the man not to be a flight risk or threat to others. As part of those conditions, Wiens was to reside under the care of his brother James, who was to move into Wiens' residence in Penticton from Ontario to act as a surety until the eventual trial is complete.

Wiens is still waiting for a trail date for the alleged murder of 55-year-old Kalmring that took place on Aug. 16. RCMP were called to a residence in the gated community of Sandbridge in the 3300 block of South Main Street, where Kalmring had been fatally shot. Wiens was arrested at the home without incident.