Kenneth Jacob Fenton, who pleaded guilty Thursday to impaired driving causing death and dangerous driving dangerous driving causing the death of West Shore RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett, has wanted to accept responsibility for some time, his defence lawyer said.
“He, like everyone else, has been waiting for the legal process to work itself out so that he could take responsibility publicly, as he has done today,” said Chris Massey.
Beckett, the 32-year-old mother of two children, was killed in Langford on April 5, 2016 when her cruiser was struck by a pickup truck at Peatt Road and Goldstream Avenue.
On Thursday, Fenton walked into Western Communities provincial courthouse for the first time. Flanked by his lawyers, Massey and Dale Marshall, Fenton appeared nervous, hands clutching the sleeves of his brown suit jacket.
In the sombre and quiet courtroom, Beckett’s husband, Brad Aschenbrenner, and her mother sat with friends and her colleagues.
Marshall entered two guilty pleas on Fenton’s behalf and asked for the case to be adjourned to the Victoria courthouse on June 6 to set a date for a sentencing hearing in provincial court.
After the brief court proceeding, Fenton walked out of the courthouse without speaking to reporters. He got into the passenger seat of a waiting truck, which sped out of the parking lot. Fenton remains free on bail.
As he left the courthouse, Staff Sgt. Raj Sandhu, who was Beckett’s friend and supervisor, said he was feeling emotional. “It’s a tough day. It was tough sitting in court, just hearing the charges,” Sandhu said.
“We have a job to do as police officers. We protect public safety. You see a police car drive by, people feel safer. And we, as police officers are held to a higher standard, a higher accountability.
“So when a person does something that causes the death of a police officer, they should be held accountable to a higher level. Even her driving down the street, she is doing something. That’s why I’m having a difficult time with this.”
This was not just an accident, said Sandhu, who made it clear he was speaking as a private citizen and not on behalf of the RCMP.
“He’s pleaded guilty to impaired driving causing death and dangerous driving causing death, so the sentencing range should be higher than the average.”
Dan McLaughlin, communications counsel for the B.C. Prosecution Service, said the maximum penalty for impaired driving causing death is life imprisonment. The maximum penalty for dangerous driving causing death is 14 years.
“It’s important to realize that sentencing decisions are based on the circumstances of the individual case, the relevant case law and the personal circumstances of an accused person,” said McLaughlin.
Asked if Beckett’s family was satisfied with the pleas, McLaughlin said he could not speak on their behalf. “They have requested privacy and will not be giving any statements.”
Last month, Aschenbrenner released a statement through his lawyer, saying the family was dismayed that the case against Fenton has been adjourned for the eighth time. “As a family, we continue to be victimized by a judicial system that doesn’t adequately consider the interests of those harmed. … We are left to wonder who is standing up for Sarah, who died serving the people of Canada? Who is looking out for police officers who put their lives at risk every day?”
McLaughlin said the prosecution team worked diligently to ensure its obligations to the court, the victim’s family and the accused were met in a timely and just matter. “This is one more step in the process of this particular case in achieving what we hope will be a fair and just resolution.”
Colwood Mayor Carol Hamilton came to court Thursday to show her support for the family. On July 16, 2003, her 19-year-old son Ken and his friend Travis Bateman were killed when a car driven by Beau Stirling crashed into a utility pole on the Old Island Highway at 139 kilometres per hour. Stirling was convicted of two counts of criminal negligence causing death.
“I’ve been through this before and it takes a community to see [the family] through this,” said Hamilton, tears in her eyes. “Every day is one day forward and you find ways to find strength and carry on.”
It’s still not known whether a West Shore RCMP officer will face charges in connection with the crash that killed Beckett. In February, the Independent Investigations Office filed a report to the Crown “for consideration of charges” against a police officer.
The IIO statement said another RCMP officer tried to pull over the pickup before the collision. The driver of the truck did not stop and later collided with Beckett’s police car in the intersection, killing her.
When a decision is reached, the Criminal Justice Branch will make a public statement on its conclusion, McLaughlin said.
ldickson@timescolonist.com
