A preliminary hearing is underway in Penticton provincial court for a young woman facing one count of manslaughter in connection to the death of her boyfriend.
Kiera Bourque, 21, is accused of manslaughter in the death of 17-year-old Devon Blackmore on April 2, 2017, at a Penticton home.
Manslaughter is defined as a homicide without the intention to cause death.
Bourque wasn’t charged until May 2018, more than one year after Blackmore’s death.
On Wednesday, Blackmore’s family members and friends packed into the courtroom, wearing ribbons that said “Devon.”
Crown lawyer Andrew Vandersluys told the court he will call seven witnesses during the preliminary hearing, which is covered by a publication ban.
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The hearing is to determine if there is enough evidence for the case to be tried in B.C. Supreme Court.
Bourque has already pleaded not guilty and has selected trial by jury.
She wore a black blazer with her hair slicked back in a ponytail and sat beside her lawyer, Paul Varga, during the court proceedings.
The preliminary hearing is scheduled for two days.