The man charged with murder in the death of a Shuswap woman has changed from trial with judge and jury to a trial with judge alone.
The venue for the trial has also changed.
Derek Lee Matthew Favell, 40, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Ashley Simpson, who was last seen in 2016 near Salmon Arm. He was charged in December 2021.
In March 2022, Favell elected trial by judge and jury. On March 1, 2023 in BC Supreme Court in Kamloops, he re-elected to trial by judge alone.
The trial, which was to be held in Kamloops as the courts there can accommodate a jury, is now scheduled to return to the Salmon Arm Law Courts on Oct. 30, 2023. The trial length is estimated at 20 days.
Prior to the start of the trial, a voir dire will be held on Sept. 11.
A voir dire is a separate hearing in which the judge determines whether evidence is admissible and can be part of the trial. Proceedings of a voir dire can’t be published.
Read more: Man charged with murder of Ashley Simpson in Shuswap elects trial by judge and jury
Read more: Man charged with murder in death of Shuswap woman denied bail
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