Ex-Dawson Creek councillor to elect mode of trial in September

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Shaely Wilbur, a former mayoral candidate in Dawson Creek. — Former Dawson Creek councillor Shaely Wilbur is facing one charge of breach of trust. (file)

DAWSON CREEK, B.C. — A former Dawson Creek councillor is set to decide how she wants to be tried for breach of trust at her next court hearing.

Shaely Wilbur — who also ran against Darcy Dober, Dawson Creek’s current mayor, in the last municipal election — was initially set to elect her mode of trial during a hearing on August 5th.

People accused of indictable offences like breach of trust have the right to choose, or ‘elect,’ whether they wish to be tried by a provincial court judge or a supreme court judge and jury.

Indictable offences are more serious offences with varied maximum penalties. The maximum penalty for breach of trust is 14 years in prison.

According to a representative from the BC Prosecution Service, Wilbur appeared for the August 5th hearing without counsel, and her matter was adjourned until Wednesday, August 13th.

On the 13th, Wilbur’s counsel appeared and requested another adjournment so they could have more time to review the disclosure — the information and documents relevant to the case provided by the crown.

The request was granted. Wilbur’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 9th. Wilbur was charged for an incident that reportedly took place on December 1st, 2021 in Dawson Creek.