95 Year Old Charged With Murder

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Tuesday, 20 August 2013 11:18
 A 95 year old man has been charged with murder after a death at a Vernon care facility for dementia patients. John Furman appeared in court Monday and has been remanded in custody. He's accused of an assault that led to the death of his 85 year old roommate Sunday night at the Polson Residential Care Facility. The RCMP's Gord Molendyk says police have to lay a charge within 24 hours to keep a suspect in custody, and he says, the charge could change when Furman makes his next court appearance tomorrow. "We're going to present all of the informaiton that is gathered and the evidence. We're still speaking with witnesses and staff. That will be presented to Crown counsel who will make the decision on the charge," he tells Kiss FM. Molendyk says based on the evidence police present, the Crown could downgrade the charge to manslaughter or something else. Molendyk, who is a former RCMP officer with years of experience in police work, doesn't recall ever hearing a case involving such an elderly murder suspect. "It's very unusual, and this is a very sad case we have here. I see victims on both sides." The victim's name is not being released at this time, and an autopsy is expected to be competed Wednesday. The facility, which is located next to the hospital's Polson Tower, cares for dementia patients with behavioral or psychiatric issues.