The quest for justice for Derek Descoteau and closure in his murder case for family members is becoming increasingly frustrating.

May 20 marks the sixth anniversary since Descoteau, just 20 years old, was killed and his girlfriend Janelle Guyatt seriously wounded in a knife attack at the home of DescoteauB次元官网网址檚 father Paul in Chemainus in 2016.

Colin John was charged with the second-degree murder of Descoteau and attempted murder of Guyatt, later downgraded to aggravated assault in a plea deal. He has been at the Colony Farm Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam ever since, undergoing a series of assessments over the years while the court case has frequently been delayed and COVID adding another hurdle in the process.

John was eventually found fit to stand trial and the prosecution wrapped up its case in August of 2019 before defence lawyer Scott Sheets lobbied for an assessment of JohnB次元官网网址檚 mental fitness.

Further evaluations were conducted, then John pleaded guilty at the Victoria courthouse on Nov. 30 of last year to the second-degree murder of Descoteau and aggravated assault of Guyatt.

DescoteauB次元官网网址檚 mom Brenda Smith was pleased the case seemed headed for a resolution.

Then it took a sudden turn again and itB次元官网网址檚 almost back to square one.

B次元官网网址淓verythingB次元官网网址檚 now moved to the fall because they are pursuing the not criminally responsible at the time he did it,B次元官网网址� Smith said. B次元官网网址淲e are so livid. We are sick to our stomachs.B次元官网网址�

In January of this year, the case resumed at the Duncan courthouse with a date set for a sentencing hearing while a psychiatric assessment of John was also to be completed and included in a pre-sentencing report.

Further postponements took the case to a hearing on March 11 when the judge ordered a not criminally responsible by reason of mental disorder assessment report where a psychiatrist prepares an opinion of JohnB次元官网网址檚 mental state at the time of the offences.

The report normally takes 30 to 60 days and was not ready when John appeared in court again in mid-April. The psychiatrist asked for a 30-day extension that was granted, leading to a scheduled appearance before the judge by telephone earlier this month to determine the next steps.

The decision was eventually made during the latest court appearance last week that John would be pursuing the not criminally responsible by reason of mental disorder defence and there now needs to be a hearing on the issue.

Carla Sampson, program manager for the Cowichan Valley Regional RCMP Victim Services Team, informed the family expert evidence now needs to be obtained and could not be done in time for the pending May dates, thus pushing the case into the fall.

B次元官网网址淩ight now, we are all so mad,B次元官网网址� said Smith. B次元官网网址淗ow can we go six years? He pleaded guilty.B次元官网网址�

Neither Sampson nor Crown Prosecutor Ken Paziuk could be reached for comment.

Smith said sheB次元官网网址檚 hoping a meeting can be set up with Crown because B次元官网网址渨e want answers.B次元官网网址�

Smith and ex-husband Paul Descoteau also lost another son, Dustin Descoteau, in a car accident three years prior to DerekB次元官网网址檚 murder.

ThereB次元官网网址檚 a memorial site for the Descoteau brothers on the Pacific Circle Route between Mesachie Lake and Port Renfrew and the family intended to gather there on the weekend to mark the occasion.

The anniversary also falls on the same day this year for the first time since the murder took place, the Friday of the Victoria Day long weekend.

don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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