March 19 - Langford man not criminally responsible for mother's death

Good morning !

I went for another amazing long walk along the waterfront last night. As someone who uses the pedestrian paths every day, I think the city did a great job with the Dallas makeover. It’s hard to believe that 2.5-kilometre, paved, scenic stretch wasn’t there less than five years ago. It’s a gem.

Go back here to simpler times (when the cross-water view seemed more inviting).

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☁️ 9 / 6  

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 9 / 6

Friday: 🌦️ 9 / 6

NEWS

Langford man found not criminally responsible for killing his mother over Christmas 2021

A trial by a judge has ruled Ryan Elder, now 30, was in a state of psychosis when he stabbed and strangled his mother Raymonde Elder at her Langford home.

Justice Jennifer Power ultimately agreed with the testimony of forensic psychiatrists who concluded that Ryan was experiencing schizophrenic delusions during and before the killing, causing him to believe his mother was attacking him, conspiring against him, and even welcoming her death.

The Crown—and some family members—disagreed with this assessment, arguing that he was not under delusions when he killed Raymonde, despite having a serious mental illness. 

Elder confessed to the killing: the trial was about the state of mind

Per the Crown prosecutor, police said Ryan told them in 2021 that he killed his mother by stabbing her, after trying to strangle her. He confessed after several days of living at home with his mother's body when it was discovered during a New Year's Eve wellness check.

The presiding judge was expected to decide on Ryan’s verdict in mid-Jan., determining criminal responsibility afterward, but decided instead to reopen the trial later that month and consider his mental state in the final verdict.

An upcoming review process will determine if Ryan will be held in a treatment facility—the more likely option—or released with treatment conditions.

Read the full story in The Westshore.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

9.77% tax increase approved for Langford.

Paving prep on Blanshard, from Fort to Yates, continues today and tomorrow. 7am-7pm. [Details]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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NEWS

Alliance to End Homelessness unveils strategic plan to achieve ‘functional zero’ by 2030

The Alliance to End Homelessness in the Capital Region (AEHCR) has a lofty goal of bringing the region closer to “functional zero” homelessness by 2030.
Functional zero homelessness doesn’t mean homelessness is eradicated. 

“It means people’s experiences of homelessness are brief, rare, and non-recurring,” explained Sylvia Ceacero, the Alliance’s CEO.

At least 1,665 people were experiencing homelessness on March 7, 2023, as recorded in a point-in-time homeless count. One week from today, a new bi-annual Point-in-Time (PiT) Homeless Count and Survey will take place, funded by the federal government’s Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy.

On Monday, Ceacero and Michelle Vanchu-Orosc, the AEHCR’s research and data analysis director, presented the organization’s community plan to the Saanich council.

As Sidney Coles tells us, the plan is anchored by three pillars.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🦭 An upside-down harbour seal chills in Nanaimo. [Van Isle Wildlife] 

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🌸 Vintage cherry blossoms: See the blooms in 1961 Victoria. [Facebook photo]

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🗞️ In Other News

Neighbouring municipalities brace for impact of extended Crystal Pool closure
Saanich, Esquimalt, and Oak Bay anticipate a deep demand for their pool facilities ahead of the Crystal Pool replacement project. Mayors from all three municipalities say they’re concerned that their pools won’t fit the needs of Crystal Pool users—which has one of few 50-metre pools in Greater Victoria—and the spillover may affect recreational opportunities for their residents. [Times Colonist]

Husband of Const. Sarah Beckett receives coronation medal for work on memorial run
Brad Aschenbrenner started the yearly fundraising event in 2019, three years after his wife was killed on duty by a drunk driver who slammed into her marked police vehicle. The Sarah Beckett Memorial Run raises money for the Boys and Girls Club South Vancouver Island and the Goldstream Food Bank—two organizations that Beckett had worked with. Aschenbrenner received the King Charles III Coronation Medal at Langford council meeting on Mon. [Island Social Trends]

Victoria-based DJ Rumpus has a track featured on HBO’s The White Lotus
Danny Elder, AKA Rumpus, was as surprised as anyone when he heard Set It Off used in the show’s S3-E5, which aired on Sun. The Regina-born spinner-drummer says he’s grateful the TV show’s producers liked his song enough to use it on the mega-streamed program. Rumpus, who played the Capital Ballroom last month and is slated to spin in Miami next week, has performed at major festivals, including Burning Man and South By Southwest. [Listen here]

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🗓️ Things to do

🦸 Island FanCon: Join 5K+ fans at this pop-culture convention, with celebrity panels, meet and greets, workshops, and live music. City Centre Park in Langford. March 28-30. [Info] 

🌺 Paper Petals Workshop: Create exquisite floral paper petal arrangements in this all-ages workshop led by Wing Studio Art. Westshore Town Centre. Today. 1pm. [Info]

🎶 The Luminary Series: Lawrence Brownlee in Recital. See the acclaimed tenor along with pianist Kevin Miller on stage at the McPherson Playhouse. Tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]

❓Sixty Watt Disney Trivia: Enjoy an evening that will test all the random knowledge your brain has been stockpiling about Disney and Pixar. Spinnakers. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

⚕️A Sickness No One Can Cure: Hear about new research on the 1862 smallpox epidemic in Victoria from UVic history professor John Lutz. Ross Bay Villa Historic House Museum. Tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎹 Skye Douglas Project: Experience modern and historical interpretations of new music and well-known standards by the Skye Douglas Project. Hermann's. Tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]​

🪵 Layered Wood Art at The Crooked Goose: Create your own layered wood art piece in this guided workshop. The Crooked Goose. Tomorrow. 6:30pm. [Info]​

🎤 Caffe Fantastico Unplugged: Pause, unplug, and reconnect. Leave your devices behind and immerse yourself in an intentional evening of games, books, crafts, and conversation. Caffe Fantastico on Kings. Fri. 6:30-9pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Correction: Yesterday’s report said BC recorded 446 toxic drug deaths last year. The Island recorded 446, BC recorded 2,253. Capital Daily regrets this error.

Tuesday’s headlines: Toxic drug death numbers on Island declining; BC Hydro wants rate increases to pay for tariff pain; Queen of Westminster back at sea. [Mar. 18]

Empress Elle: Meet the hotel’s first female executive chef. [Tasting Victoria]

Famous Hudson’s Bay blankets a hot ticket as stores prepare to shutter. [Times Colonist]

Victoria’s Luna Collective boutique feeling tariff pinch. [CHEK]

City of Victoria joins Bluesky as it looks to leave X (Twitter). Roadwork updates are still posted to X for now.

Canadian artistic swimming qualifications. [Commonwealth Pool]

Maria’s Cakerie & Desserts opened last week at Hillside Shopping Centre.

Membership survey: Downtown Victoria Business Association. [DVBA]

No kidding: Baby goat stops at Russell Books for a visit. [Instagram]

That’s it!

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