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South Delta manslaughter trial resumes in January

A South Delta manslaughter trial will continue in January 2020. Franco Douglas Sarra, a graduate of South Delta Secondary now living in Burnaby, is facing a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of 53-year-old Russ Armfelt.
Supreme court

A South Delta manslaughter trial will continue in January 2020.

Franco Douglas Sarra, a graduate of South Delta Secondary now living in Burnaby, is facing a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of 53-year-old Russ Armfelt. Armfelt was located unconscious and unresponsive early in the morning of Dec. 11, 2016 outside the rear of the 56th St. pub, where despite efforts by paramedics to revive him, he later died.

Crown called nine civilian witnesses to the stand during a week-plus of testimony from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1 and Nov. 4 in New Westminster Supreme Court. The witnesses provided testimony about the night in question and observations of the altercation outside the pub that led to Armfelt’s death.

The case was adjourned on Nov. 4 due to the unavailability of a key Crown witness – a forensic pathologist - who was unable to testify as he is recovering from a recent surgical procedure.

On Thursday, lawyers for the Crown and defence determined in a New Westminster courtroom that the trial will continue Jan. 14 to 16, 2020.