(Province of B.C. photo)

By Pete McIntyre

B.C. Supreme Court

Woman pleads guilty to manslaughter to end murder trial

Mar 5, 2024 | 4:00 PM

A North Okanagan murder trial came to a quick end Tuesday after the suspect entered a guilty plea on the second day of proceedings.

Lynda Saundry of Armstrong pled guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in the shooting death of her common law partner, 55-year-old Barry Jones, at a residence on Emery Louis Road near Round Lake on July 29, 2020.

Saundry’s guilty plea came one day after her B.C. Supreme Court trial started in Kelowna, a day in which she entered a not guilty plea to the original charge of first degree murder.

On Tuesday, March 5, the Crown and defence jointly called for a ten year prison sentence, minus credit for time already served, which Justice Allan Betton agreed to.

Saundry, born in 1961, will have to serve another 1,682 days in custody (4.6 years).

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“The judge accepted the joint submission and also imposed the requested ancillary orders (DNA and a firearms prohibition),” Gordon Comer, deputy director with the BC Prosecution Service, told Vernon Matters.

After the sentencing, the RCMP Southeast District Major Crime Unit issued a news release about the manslaughter conviction.

“I am proud of our officers and partners hard work on this file. We are grateful for the support we have had throughout this investigation and our hearts go out to the victim’s family and friends as we continue to support them,” S/Sgt. Jason Smart, NCO in Charge of Southeast District Major Crime Unit, said.