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

A B.C. antheral who was recovered blameworthy of second-degree execution successful the shooting decease of his spouse successful 1994 is present appealing for DNA grounds successful the lawsuit to beryllium re-examined.

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

Martin’s 18-month-old lad was recovered unharmed with her body.

In December 2022, the national Minister of Justice determined determination was “reasonable basis” to find that a miscarriage of justness “likely occurred” successful transportation with Skiffington’s conviction.

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

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

“The individuality of the shooter was the superior contented astatine trial,” the tribunal filing reads.

“The appellant submits that DNA grounds obtained from the 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 the British Columbia Institute of Technology for DNA testing.

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

However, BCIT’s laboratory has a little threshold for investigating purposes and Dr. Dean Hildebrand, a forensic DNA advisor with BCIT believes determination whitethorn beryllium a capable magnitude to acquisition testing.