The Crown is awarded a hearing to determine if a new second-degree murder trial should be held for Bradley Gene Walker.

 

Its been nearly 2 years since Bradley Gene Walker was sentenced to 5 and a half years in prison for manslaughter in connection to the shotgun death of his common law wife Valerie Reynolds on Moose Jaw's Grafton Avenue in August 2003.

Now the Crown will have their day to explain why they should get a new trial as they appeal that manslaughter conviction that was downgraded from an original charge of second degree murder. That happens September 18th of this year.

Crown Prosecutor Anthony Gerein is in charge of the case and argues the verdict doesn't fit the crime. "At this point the Crown contends that the matter should be re-visited in regards to the defence that was put forward."

That defence was that Walker was too drunk to form the proper intent to be convicted of murder. The judge agreed and found Walker guilty of manslaughter instead.

The Appeal Hearing is being held in Regina September 18th. Gerein says they would like a new trial to deal with the original charge of second degree murder but if that is rejected they will then seek a stiffer penalty for the manslaughter verdict.