Bullets from 1994 B.C. murder case to be tested for DNA

A B.C. man who was recovered blameworthy of second-degree execution successful nan shooting decease of his partner successful 1994 is now appealing for DNA grounds successful nan lawsuit to beryllium re-examined.

Wade Skiffington was accused of murdering Wanda Martin successful Richmond, B.C., soon aft nan mates moved to nan province, and was convicted of second-degree execution successful 2001 based connected what his lawyers opportunity was a mendacious confession during a alleged Mr. Big constabulary sting.

Martin’s 18-month-old boy was recovered unharmed pinch her body.

In December 2022, nan national Minister of Justice wished location was “reasonable basis” to find that a miscarriage of justness “likely occurred” successful relationship pinch Skiffington’s conviction.

The matter was referred for a caller entreaty and Skiffington has been retired connected bail since December 2022.

He applied to person items seized by nan RCMP successful 1994 tested for DNA, including ammunition casings recovered astatine nan segment and a DNA extract taken from swabs of those casings successful 2019.

“The personality of nan shooter was nan superior rumor astatine trial,” nan tribunal filing reads.

“The appellant submits that DNA grounds obtained from nan ammunition casings whitethorn assistance successful demonstrating that his condemnation reflects a miscarriage of justice.”

Crown and defence lawyers person agreed that definite worldly should beryllium released to nan British Columbia Institute of Technology for DNA testing.

The archive states that nan casings were not tested for DNA successful 1994. They were tested for DNA successful 2019 astatine nan RCMP’s nationalist forensics laboratory for DNA analysis. Human DNA was obtained from nan outer aboveground but did not meet nan minimum request for further processing astatine nan RCMP lab.

However, BCIT’s laboratory has a little period for testing purposes and Dr. Dean Hildebrand, a forensic DNA advisor pinch BCIT believes location whitethorn beryllium a capable magnitude to acquisition testing.