B.C. woman waiting for beating death trial arrested for assault
Last Updated Thu Feb 12 08:38:42 2004
VANCOUVER-- A young woman awaiting trial for the 1997
swarming death of Reena Virk in Victoria has been arrested and charged
with an unrelated assault.
Kelly Ellard, 21, is charged with assault causing bodily
harm following an attack on a 58-year-old woman in New Westminster.
Police say Ellard and a friend were drinking in a park in New
Westminster on Tuesday afternoon, when they invited the older woman to
join them.
Police spokesperson, Staff-Sgt. Casey Dehaas says Ellard and her friend
accused the woman of stealing a cell phone. Police allege the two
assaulted the woman.
"One of the assailants, Kelly Ellard, who's 21 years old now, living in
New Westminster, was holding the victim down, while the other…19-year-old
Danica Callighan, was actually assaulting the 58-year-old."
Dehaas says Ellard could also be charged with violating her bail
conditions when she appears in court in New Westminster on Thursday.
Callighan has also been charged with assault causing bodily harm, and
Dehaas says she could also face charges of breaching bail conditions. Both
women are being held in custody.
Ellard is awaiting a new trial after being found guilty of
second-degree murder in the 1997 death of the 14-year-old Virk. The B.C.
Court of Appeal ruled in 2003 that the Crown had asked improper questions
during Ellard's first trial.
Virk was swarmed by a group of teenage girls and one boy in November
1997. She served about 18 months in youth custody. She's been out on bail
during her appeal, after receiving a mandatory life sentence.
Kelly Ellard (file
photo)
Reena Virk
Written by CBC News Online staff
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