In a surprise move, a young man accused of murdering his brother has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
A jury trial was slated to begin next week in Campbell River in the case against Tony Williams. The 20-year-old was charged with second-degree murder after his brother Edison Thomas was found dead on Sept. 28, 2011, in Campbell River.
However, on Tuesday, in B.C. Supreme Court in Courtenay, Williams pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Williams is currently free on bail and returns to supreme court in Campbell River on May 28 to be sentenced.
Last April, while still on bail, Williams was found passed out and unresponsive in the downtown area. He was highly intoxicated and was charged with breach of his bail order.
Williams was charged with more breaches in late June when he and another half-brother were seen fighting downtown. Police reported smelling alcohol and pot, and also found a small amount of marijuana in a backpack, but Williams was never charged with possession.
He was detained and appeared before Judge John Joe who expressed “grave concern” that Williams will continue drinking and committing breaches.
“In these circumstances, I’m going cancel bail and detain you,” he said.
However, Williams managed to get another bail order.