Reports that the prosecution is appealing the not-guilty verdict handed down in the Victoria Turley case are inaccurate, says B.C. justice department spokesman Neil MacKenzie.
“The Crown has not, at this point, reached any conclusion as to whether there’s any basis for appeal,” MacKenzie said Monday.
The department has ordered transcripts of the trial that concluded March 2 in New Westminster and will be reviewing them carefully before making any decision, MacKenzie said. The Crown has a month in which to make a decision.
“But at this point, no decision has been made to pursue an appeal.”
Turley was found not guilty of failing to provide the necessities of life in connection with the July 26, 2008 death of Shannon Raymond, 16.
Raymond was found dead at 6 a.m. on July 26, 2008 at Turley’s home in Maple Ridge after attending a party on bus.
The teen and her friends, had attended a birthday celebration on a party bus the night before, when Shannon took two ecstasy pills and drank alcohol.