Verdict expected today in Merritt murder case

A verdict is expected today in the first-degree murder trial of a Merritt man charged with killing his children.

B.C. Supreme Court Justice Robert Powers said last month he will give his decision in the trial today. Defence lawyer Peter Wilson said Friday he will be in court in Kamloops expecting to hear a verdict alongside his client.

Allan Schoenborn is charged with the first-degree murder of Kaitlynne, 10, Max, 8, and Cordon, 5. The man’s children were found dead in the family’s trailer April 6, 2008. Schoenborn was found frostbitten and dehydrated in the nearby hills 10 days later. He has been in custody since.

The Crown alleges Schoenborn killed his children as an act of revenge toward his former common-law wife, who told him she was leaving their 14-year relationship.

Schoenborn testified he killed the children because he feared they were being sexually abused and he knew no other way to protect them.

The defence team argued the man was delusional and should be found not criminally responsible because of a mental disorder.

Schoenborn’s trial, heard without a jury, started Oct. 5.

Comments

Be the first to comment!