Second-degree murder charges against a Delta police officer for his role in a fatal shooting death outside the Starlight Casino nearly three years ago have been dropped.
The charges were the result of an investigation by the Independent Investigations Office of B.C., the province’s police watchdog, into a standoff on Nov. 8, 2012, outside the local casino. In October of last year, charges of second-degree murder were laid against Delta police Const. Jordan MacWilliams – one of about 27 officers who responded to the Queensborough gaming facility.
Today, however, the Criminal Justice Branch announced that following an extensive review of the case against MacWilliams, the murder charge had been dropped.
“As a result of additional evidence obtained through the witness interviews, and further information and material received from the IIO and other sources, Crown counsel undertook a comprehensive file review,” read the statement from the Criminal Justice Branch.
Counsel’s review included interviews with more than 35 witnesses and an analysis of all evidence that would likely be admissible at trial. Following that, counsel determined there was not, in fact, enough evidence to charge MacWilliams.
“(The Criminal Justice Branch) has determined that the available evidence no longer satisfies the charge approval standard for a prosecution of Cst. MacWilliams for second degree murder, or for any other criminal offence,” read the branch’s statement.
The branch also noted in its statement that the decision was made purely through a review of evidence and legal considerations and that prosecutors on the file did not have any connection to MacWilliams or the Delta Police Department.
In a media release, Delta police Chief Const. Neil Dubord said he felt an “overwhelming sense of relief for (MacWilliams), his family, the men and women of the Delta Police Department, and indeed all police officers across Canada.”
“One of the core values of the Delta Police Department is Courage, and we define courage as our ability to overcome adversity. Through these difficult and adverse times, the men and women of the Delta Police Department have held their heads high and maintained the integrity of our profession. While we are still unable to comment on the specifics of the case as there is an ongoing Police Act investigation, we are confident in today’s decision from the Criminal Justice Branch to stay the charges against (MacWilliams),” Dubord added.
