Advertisement

Convicted double-child killer Andrew Berry’s rights not violated, Crown argues

Click to play video: 'Appeal hearing continues for convicted Victoria child killer Andrew Berry'
Appeal hearing continues for convicted Victoria child killer Andrew Berry
Wednesday was day three of an appeal hearing for the man convicted of murdering his two young daughters in the Victoria area on Christmas Day five years ago. Grace Ke was in the courtroom and has more on the case. – Jun 22, 2022

A B.C. father convicted of murdering his two young daughters did not have his rights violated in the hours and days after first responders found him in his apartment along with the two dead girls, Crown lawyers have told an appeal hearing.

Andrew Berry was convicted on two counts of second-degree murder in the stabbing deaths of his daughters, four-year-old Aubrey and six-year-old Chloe on Christmas Day, 2017.

Click to play video: 'Appeal hearing underway for convicted child killer Andrew Berry'
Appeal hearing underway for convicted child killer Andrew Berry

Earlier this week, defence lawyer Tim Russell argued that Berry’s Charter rights were violated when statements he made to firefighters, paramedics and doctors were accepted as evidence at trial because those people could have been viewed as persons of authority.

Story continues below advertisement

Berry’s trial heard that he had said “leave me alone” and “kill me” when found with suspected self-inflected stab wounds in his bathtub.

On Wednesday, Crown prosecutors told the B.C. Court of Appeal that the trial judge, Justice Miriam Gropper, had correctly interpreted the law when she found no evidence that Berry confused paramedics with police.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

Berry was not under arrest at the time and first responders were strictly offering medical care, the Crown argued.

The Crown also addressed the defence argument that Berry believed he was being detained while he was in his bathtub, contending that the trial judge found no evidence he was physically or that he had to comply.

Click to play video: 'Andrew Berry sentenced to minimum of 22 years in prison'
Andrew Berry sentenced to minimum of 22 years in prison

Berry’s lawyer also argued that the trial should not have heard statements Berry made in hospital to his sister, who is a police officer.

Story continues below advertisement

The Crown argued Wednesday that Gropper correctly found no evidence Berry’s sister’s visit to the hospital was as a person of authority, adding that she was not a part of the investigation.

On Tuesday, Russell argued that prejudice against Berry built up throughout the jury trial, calling it a Crown “ambush strategy”. He said Gropper told the jury at the time that Berry’s silence was not relevant, but she should have given more detailed, firm instructions.

Berry had the right to maintain silence while held under the Mental Health Act, but was never informed of those rights, Russell argued.

Click to play video: 'Mother describes devastating loss of daughters'
Mother describes devastating loss of daughters

Berry is appealing both his conviction and his sentence. He was convicted in September 2019, and sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 22 years.

Story continues below advertisement

At trial, prosecutors had argued he killed the girls after hitting rock bottom over a gambling addiction that left him unable to pay his bills, and fear of losing custody of the girls to his ex-partner.

A jury rejected defence’s argument that the girls had actually been killed by someone working for a loan shark to whom Berry owed a large sum.

The appeal is slated to conclude on Thursday.

Sponsored content

AdChoices