'Utterly devastating': Prosecution disappointed by overturned convictions in Saanich couple's murder
The man found guilty in 2019 of murdering Saanich sweethearts Tanya Van Cuylenborg, 18, and 20-year-old Jay Cook more than three decades ago had those convictions overturned by the Washington State Court of Appeals.
The ruling, made Monday, was disappointing to Adam Cornell, the prosecuting attorney for Snohomish County, Wash.
“I’m very disappointed and I can only imagine how utterly devastating it must be to the families of Jay and Tanya,” said Cornell on Tuesday.
A jury in convicted 58-year-old William Earl Talbott II in July 2019.
The Seattle-area truck driver was arrested the previous year and genealogy technology provided the big break in the cold case.
Van Culenborg and Cook had travelled from Victoria to Seattle on Nov. 18, 1987 to pick up a furnace for Cook’s father.
Her body was found six days later in a ditch near Bellingham, Wash. She was naked from the waist down, her hands tied and she had been shot in the back of the head from close range.
Cook’s body was discovered approximately 100 kilometres away. He had been strangled to death, his face was beaten, and his hands were also tied.
In 2018, investigators traced DNA from the crime scenes to Talbott’s relatives on a public ancestry database, and then zeroed in on him. Undercover police then grabbed his DNA from a coffee cup that fell off his truck when he was working.
Talbott's DNA matched some found on Can Cuylenborg's body, and was key evidence in securing guilty verdicts in the case.
But on Monday the court ruled that one of the jurors was biased, and should have been dismissed during selection, after she’d said she didn’t know if she could be fair.
It’s an outcome that wouldn’t be likely to happen in Canada, says Michael Mulligan, a criminal defence lawyer in Victoria.
“In Canada, we don’t ordinarily ask any questions of prospective jurors, so that we wouldn't know that this juror didn't think that she could be fair and impartial,” said Mulligan.
The prosecution can either appeal the latest decision to the state’s highest court, or proceed with a new trial.
“Whether that takes another few months or years, we are steadfast in our desire to bring justice,” said Cornell.
Talbott has maintained his innocence throughout the process.
Cornell said the prosecution will likely decide Wednesday whether it will appeal the overturned conviction or launch a new trial.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.