Wednesday, July 16, 2025
ADVT 
National

Mariner appeals conviction in fatal ferry sinking off B.C., cites judge's errors

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 18 Nov, 2014 12:40 PM

    VANCOUVER — A defence lawyer says the judge overseeing the trial of a mariner who was navigating a passenger ferry when it sank off B.C. made several mistakes when instructing the jury.

    Karl Lilgert was convicted last year of criminal negligence causing the death of two passengers who were aboard the Queen Of the North when it struck an island and sank in March 2006.

    Lilgert was sentenced to four years, though he immediately appealed and was released on bail.

    His lawyer, Glen Orris, has told the B.C. Court of Appeal that the judge incorrectly defined the offence of criminal negligence when addressing the jury, giving the Crown an unfair advantage and causing an unfair trial.

    The judge told the jury that Lilgert had a duty to navigate safely and within the regulations, but Orris says marine regulations are merely guidelines and they're not a legal requirement.

    He says the judge's definition of criminal negligence did not reflect recent decisions on the issue from other courts, including the Supreme Court of Canada.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Vancouver's Mayor Faces Close Election

    Vancouver's Mayor Faces Close Election
    VANCOUVER — Residents in Vancouver vote today in an election that has turned out to be a tight race between the city's current mayor and an opponent who had little public profile before the campaign.

    Vancouver's Mayor Faces Close Election

    Stay Alert! Police Warn Of Violent Inmate Who Escaped Work Crew In Northern BC

    Stay Alert! Police Warn Of Violent Inmate Who Escaped Work Crew In Northern BC
    PRINCE GEORGE, B.C. — A violent inmate with a history of property and weapons offences has escaped from a work crew in Prince George, B.C.

    Stay Alert! Police Warn Of Violent Inmate Who Escaped Work Crew In Northern BC

    Runner With Type 1 Diabetes Completes Cross-canada Trek To Raise Awareness

    Runner With Type 1 Diabetes Completes Cross-canada Trek To Raise Awareness
    Sebastien Sasseville remembers a time when he couldn't even run around the block. Diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 22, the college student wasn't physically active to begin with and faced a choice — allow the disease to control his life or take charge of it himself.

    Runner With Type 1 Diabetes Completes Cross-canada Trek To Raise Awareness

    Kamloops Couple Says Court Actions Means They're Being 'Persecuted For Being Indian'

    Kamloops Couple Says Court Actions Means They're Being 'Persecuted For Being Indian'
    Jay Coutts and Fara Palmer were in provincial court in Kamloops, B.C., on Thursday to fight the charges, saying their aboriginal rights are being violated.

    Kamloops Couple Says Court Actions Means They're Being 'Persecuted For Being Indian'

    Suspicious School Snack Possibly Containing Drug Sparks Investigation In B.C.

    Suspicious School Snack Possibly Containing Drug Sparks Investigation In B.C.
    DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — An investigation is underway after a suspicious snack that may have contained a drug was shared among students at a school in northeastern B.C.

    Suspicious School Snack Possibly Containing Drug Sparks Investigation In B.C.

    Lodge Owner Files Complaint With RCMP On Damage After Search For Missing Teens

    Lodge Owner Files Complaint With RCMP On Damage After Search For Missing Teens
    SOUTHEND , Sask. — Police are looking into damage at a northern Saskatchewan fishing lodge believed to have been used by five missing teens while they waited to be rescued.

    Lodge Owner Files Complaint With RCMP On Damage After Search For Missing Teens