Court appearance for man charged in death of RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett delayed

The man charged in connection with the death of RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett in Langford in April won’t make his next court appearance until next month.

Thirty-two-year-old Const. Sarah Beckett with West Shore RCMP died on Apr. 5 when a pickup truck collided with her police cruiser in Langford.

Twenty-eight-year-old Kenneth Jacob Fenton was taken into custody shortly after the deadly crash.

Charges against Fenton were laid last September. He was charged with impaired driving causing death, flight causing bodily harm or death, dangerous driving causing death and causing an accident resulting in death.

Days after the incident, British Columbia’s Independent Investigation Office (IIO) announced it will look into the crash after learning police had tried to stop the truck that ended up striking Beckett’s cruiser.

During Thursday’s hearing, Fenton was supposed to inform the court how he intends to plead, but his lawyer requested a delay until the IIO has completed their investigation.

Allowing time for IIO’s investigation to be wrapped up, Fenton’s next court appearance will be on Feb. 9 at 9 a.m.

1:52 RCMP memorial service remembers Const. Sarah Beckett who died in line of duty

• RCMP memorial service remembers Const. Sarah Beckett who died in line of duty
• Montage of Cst. Sarah Beckett’s regimental funeral
• Hundreds of officers participate in Cst. Sarah Beckett’s funeral march
• Thousands attend funeral service for RCMP Cst. Sarah Beckett in Colwood

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Beckett’s death shook the community, causing an outpouring of grief and support for her family. She had recently returned from maternity leave and left behind a husband and two young children.

Beckett was given a full regimental funeral, which was attended by thousands people, including police officers from across the province.

READ MORE: Thousands attend funeral for RCMP officer killed in crash

— With files from Amy Judd