The Crown has directed a stay of proceedings against an Esquimalt woman who was charged last year with threatening to kill a Victoria family lawyer.
Patricia Ruth Pelley, 46, was charged in June 2012 with threatening to cause death or bodily harm to Julie Donati and knowingly conveying a threat to cause death or bodily harm to people at the courthouse. A third count alleged that Pelley, with intent to injure or alarm Donati, posted false information on Facebook that a bomb was about to go off at the courthouse.
Pelley pleaded not guilty.
A two-day preliminary inquiry was held in May. Last month, the charges against Pelley were stayed.
“The prosecution no longer continued to meet the Crown’s charge approval standards, and as a result a stay of proceedings was directed,” said Crown prosecutor Jess Patterson.
