The case against James Eugene Perkins in relation to a 2021 shooting death continues to face delays, years after the event and subsequent arrest.
Perkins was in a B.C. Supreme Court room on June 16 in Williams Lake, with Crown counsel ready, but Perkins still apparently working to obtain representation.
This was the second delay related to a Rowbotham application by Perkins.
According to Legal Aid BC, a Rowbotham application is for "people facing serious and complex criminal charges who have been denied legal aid but can’t afford a lawyer."
While Legal Aid is not available for those with an income above a certain limit, depending on a number of factors, or for those who have tangible assets in excess of a $10,000 limit, an accused person can make a Rowbotham application in order for their legal costs to be covered.
Perkins was arrested on October 20, 2023 and charged with murder in relation to a shooting death which took place almost exactly two years prior.
100 Mile House RCMP were called to a report of gunshots coming from a building in the Exeter Road area on October 19, 2021. Upon arrival, police said they discovered a man suffering gunshot wounds inside the building. The man then died as a result of his injuries.
The two-year investigation included work by investigators from the North District RCMP Major Crime Unit, 100 Mile House RCMP and the Cariboo Crime Reduction Unit.
Perkins, who remains in custody, is next scheduled to appear in court on June 30.
He had appeared in court on May 26 with the expectation that he would have obtained counsel by June 16.
The charge against Perkins has not yet been proven in court.
With files from Patrick Davies.
