Snelson manslaughter conviction appealed

A Kelowna man found guilty of manslaughter in the death of Jennifer Cusworth is appealing his conviction.

Neil Snelson, 45, was convicted on the lesser count of manslaughter by a jury after being charged with first degree murder in the death of Cusworth. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Snelson’s lawyers have appealed the conviction, claiming his statement given to the police at the Kelowna RCMP detachment the day after his arrest should not have been admitted during his trial.

In the statement, Snelson didn’t admit to killing the 19-year-old college student after a house party, but didn’t deny it either.

Cusworth was murdered and her body dumped in a rural road ditch in 1993.

Snelson was convicted after a three week trial.

If his conviction is overturned by the BC Court of Appeal, Snelson will stand trial again.