British Columbia's highest court has intervened to send an elderly convicted killer back to custody, revoking his bail in a significant reversal of a prior judicial decision. The B.C. Court of Appeal overturned a lower court's ruling that had granted the man release pending an appeal of his murder conviction.
The Crime and Initial Conviction
The case stems from a grim discovery in March 2017. On Thursday, March 2, 2017, Mounties responded to a report near Fraserwood Way and Westminster Highway. There, they found the body of 52-year-old Delta resident Allen Skedden. The investigation into his death led to murder charges against an elderly individual, whose identity is protected under a publication ban related to the bail proceedings.
Following a trial, the accused was found guilty of killing Skedden. However, following the conviction, a justice granted the individual bail while he awaited the appeal of his murder verdict. This decision allowed the convicted murderer to remain out of prison as his legal team challenged the outcome of his trial.
Prosecution's Challenge and Court's Ruling
The Crown prosecution strongly disagreed with the bail decision and took the matter to a higher authority. Prosecutors appealed the release order to the B.C. Court of Appeal, arguing that the convicted killer should remain behind bars. The appellate court heard the arguments and delivered its judgment.
In a ruling made public on December 30, 2025, the appeal court sided with the Crown. The panel of judges revoked the bail order, meaning the elderly man must now return to prison to serve his sentence while his appeal is processed. The court's decision underscores a stricter interpretation of the criteria for release after a serious conviction like murder.
Implications and Next Steps
This ruling highlights the rigorous standards applied by appellate courts when reviewing bail for individuals convicted of severe crimes. The reversal demonstrates that even after a lower court grants release, the Crown has a viable path to contest such decisions in the interest of public safety and the integrity of the justice system.
The convicted man's underlying appeal of his murder conviction is still pending. The B.C. Court of Appeal will separately hear the arguments for overturning the guilty verdict at a future date. For now, the immediate consequence of the court's latest decision is that the individual will await that appeal from a jail cell, not from the community. The case continues to draw attention to the complex legal balances between individual liberty following conviction and societal protection.
