Manslaughter suspect to be tried by Supreme Court judge

A suspect in a Vernon manslaughter case has chosen trial by B.C. Supreme Court judge with no jury.

Shaun Weibe, 43, is charged with causing the death of Heather Barker, 37, in March 2018 after Barker was found unresponsive in her home on Cordon Place.

Weibe had several options in deciding how he would proceed.

“For most indictable offences (including manslaughter), an accused is entitled to elect his mode of trial. It can be trial by Supreme Court judge and jury, Supreme Court judge without a jury or provincial court judge. In this case, Mr. Wiebe has elected trial by Supreme Court Judge alone (no jury),” said Dan McLaughlin, communications counsel for the B.C. Prosecution Service.