Jason Steadman, who was found guilty of first-degree murder in the 2015 death of Edmonton limo driver Dwayne Demkiw, has appealed his conviction and sentence.
A jury found him guilty of first-degree murder on Feb. 21, 2019, and he was sentenced Feb. 22 to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.
READ MORE: Killer of Edmonton limo driver sentenced to life; victim’s family says they’re relieved
Court documents show Steadman is appealing both the conviction and the sentence, citing various errors by both the judge and jury.
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In his notice of appeal, Steadman said the judge “erred in his analysis, failing to find a breach” of two sections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and “failed to instruct the jury properly.”
Steadman also said the jury’s verdict of guilty (of first-degree murder) “was unreasonable and not supported by the evidence.”
READ MORE: Edmonton police believe ‘harm has come’ to missing man; homicide unit investigating
In May 2015, Demkiw finished a shift as a limo driver. He was never seen again. His car was set on fire and left in a Calgary parkade. Investigators found Demkiw’s blood inside covering the inside of the vehicle.
A year later, Demkiw’s remains were found scattered in a field near Innisfail.
READ MORE: Edmonton police say Dwayne Demkiw was murdered, identify American man as suspect
The Steadman investigation involved five police services in Alberta, B.C. and the United States. Ninety-two witnesses testified.
Steadman was known as Robert Aubrey Maxwell when he killed Demkiw. Steadman fled the United States after a warrant was issued for his arrest in 2012.
Crown Prosecutor Chantelle Washenfelder described the investigation as “extremely challenging.”
— With files from Fletcher Kent, Global News
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