The preliminary hearing for the man accused in the deadly shooting at Nanaimo’s Western Forest Products sawmill nearly a year ago is underway.
Kevin Addison is charged with two counts of first degree murder and two of attempted murder.
There was an audible gasp from the packed courtroom in Nanaimo as the 47-year-old entered. Formerly sporting a shaggy beard, his hair was cut short and his face was clean-shaven. Staring almost blankly through his rectangular-rimmed glasses, he briefly scanned the room before turning towards his lawyer, John Gustafson.
Gustafson says they expect the preliminary hearing to take the rest of the week, and he won’t reveal if the defense will present any evidence.
The process will determine if the case goes to trial. There’s a publication ban on any evidence presented at this stage.
Marlene Lunn’s husband Micheal was one of the men killed on April 30, 2014. She and her daughter Marcy were sitting in the front row of the courtroom. Lunn says they’re committed to seeing the process through, however painful.
Jane Lindstom is Vice Chair of the Red Shirt Foundation. She says they’re realized there’s very little research on violence in the workplace.
Lindstrom says Western Forest Products has agreed to have the research based in their mills, and they’re also supporting the foundation financially. The Red Shirt Foundation is planning a “Walk to Stop Workplace Violence” for April 30th at Maffeo Sutton Park in Nanaimo.
