Letter of Support from the Princeton RCMP
COURT NEWS - January 10, 2008
JUDGE FINDS NO EVIDENCE
David Goulet, a Princeton resident, stood trial in Provincial Court in Princeton on January 10. He was charged with breaking and entering the Belaire Restaurant on April 19, 2006.
RCMP witnesses testified that they had found a broken window on the west side of the restaurant when they responded to an alarm. They found blood on the outside window trim and on the inside pane of the broken double-paned window. Spots of blood were found on a restaurant table and coffee mugs located below the window inside the restaurant.
Six blood samples were taken, but only one sample, taken from the outside trim, was analyzed. The blood belonged to Goulet.
The restaurant owner testified that seven bottles of liquor were missing from the restaurant after the break and enter. She had seen Goulet the next day with a towel wrapped around his hand. One police officer stated that when Goulet was apprehended, he told the officer a friend of his had done the break and enter, and Goulet had tried to stop him.
Goulet said he had grabbed his friend's ankle as the man crawled through the window, and his friend had kicked back at him, and Goulet's finger was cut. Goulet showed the officer the scar on his finger.
When Goulet took the stand, he testified that he and his friend had been walking down the alley behind the restaurant when Goulet heard the sound of breaking glass and found his friend had disappeared.
Goulet went to check and saw his friend crawling through the window. Goulet repeated what he had told the police officer.
Crown Counsel noted Goulet's criminal record included previous break and enter incidents and said Goulet should not be believed.
Judge Klinger took time to review the evidence before giving judgement.
He stated that there was no evidence to show Goulet had ever been inside the restaurant. The judge said Crown Counsel had not proven guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, and dismissed the charges. (Note: Goulet repeatedly named his friend, but that accusation cannot be printed. One police officer said he attempted to locate this individual but with no success.)
PUBLIC FACES NO SHOW
Twenty local citizens, three reporters and two cameramen (CBC and CHBC) were at Princeton's Courthouse on January 10 in anticipation of the first appearance of Fred Netherton, who faces numerous charges of fraud.
The former local funeral director has been the subject of an extensive criminal investigation. In addition to 34 fraud charges, Netherton is charged with neglecting to perform duties related to burial and two charges of interference with a dead body.
Netherton and his lawyer were represented by an agent, so there was no photo opportunities for the cameras, and the non-appearance was a disappointment for those wishing to see justice done right away.
Netherton's next court appearance is scheduled for February 14 in Provincial Court in Princeton.
LOCAL MAN LOSES LICENCE
Howard A. Parfitt appeared in Provincial Court in Princeton January 10 to plead guilty to an impaired driving charge. He had been reported to police on May 23, 2007, when he drove his Mercury Marquis into a gate near the Lordco building.
Police officers noted signs of impairment when they investigated the complaint.
They found open liquor in Parfitt's vehicle. Parfitt failed the breath test.
Judge Klinger ordered Parfitt to pay a $600 fine with a $90 victim fine surcharge, and to serve a one year driving prohibition.
DRIVER PLEADS TO LESSER CHARGE
In Provincial Court in Princeton on January 10, David C. Thomas entered a guilty plea to a charge of driving too fast for road conditions. He had been charged originally with impaired driving, a charge to which he had entered a not guilty plea.
Police had seen Thomas pull in at a local service station at a higher than usual speed, and then leave at a faster speed than most people. The police cruiser followed him west and noted the vehicle swerving from side to side in the lane. Thomas was stopped after a short distance.
Police officers noted Thomas had been consuming alcohol and charged him.
The 25 year old Princeton resident, who admitted he had undergone counselling for alcohol abuse, was ordered to pay a $600 fine and serve a four month probation period with the condition that he is not to consume alcohol during that time.
Province of British Columbia Criminal Court Lists
