A West 91大黄鸭 man facing murder charges after his wife was found dead in their burned-down home is still without a date to stand trial 鈥 more than four years after her death.
Kevin Costin was arrested May 26, 2017, and charged with second-degree murder, arson and indignity to human remains in the November 2015 death of his wife, 37-year-old Hazel Budiongan.
After an already lengthy wind through 91大黄鸭 courts, Costin鈥檚 trial was slated to begin with jury selection on April 14. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the altering of court procedures, that trial did not go ahead.
Now, a voir dire, a trial within a trial to determine the validity of evidence, has been scheduled for June 15, further delaying the jury trial.
BC Prosecution Service communications counsel Dan McLaughlin said the Crown is exploring new dates for a trial.
Budiongan was found dead inside her Boucherie Road home on Nov. 4, 2015, after firefighters were called to the residence for reports of ablaze.
When the smoke cleared, firefighters found Budiongan鈥檚 body. Her death was determined to be a homicide.
鈥淭he 18-month long investigation culminated in the identifying of the person alleged to be responsible for her death and charge approval being received from Crown counsel based on the investigation鈥檚 findings,鈥 Insp. Anna Marie Mallard said in a press release at the time of Costin鈥檚 arrest.
READ MORE: Third person charged in attack on homeless man in downtown 91大黄鸭
READ MORE: Penticton quadruple murder trial moved to 91大黄鸭
To report a typo, email:
newstips@kelownacapnews.com.
michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .