The family of a Port Moody woman who was found dead four years ago is being forced to wait even longer for justice.
Trina Hunt’s husband was supposed to appear in court on an indignity to human remains charge Wednesday, but the case has now been put over to next month.
Read more: 4 years after B.C. woman’s disappearance, husband charged with indignity to human remains
A rally planned for outside the Port Coquitlam Courthouse where Iain Hunt was scheduled to appear still went ahead as planned.
The ‘Justice for Trina Rally’ was organized by members of the community to show support for Trina Hunt’s loved ones.
Dozens of friends, family, and neighbours were in attendance, holding signs and wearing purple, which was her favourite colour.
“What do we want? Justice! When do we want it? Now!” chanted the crowd.
“It’s been four years since Trina was murdered, and we’ve been waiting patiently for charges that hold the person that murdered her accountable,” said Stephanie Ibbott, Hunt’s cousin-in-law, through tears.
Iain Hunt was charged with indignity to human remains last month.
“It’s not enough. It’s not justice. So we are here to demand that justice be served, and that the people responsible for murdering Trina are held accountable, not with a slap of the wrist to sentence,” said Ibbott.
Hunt reported his wife missing on Jan. 18, 2021, triggering a desperate months-long search effort.
That March, her remains were found near Hope, south of Silver Creek, approximately 140 kilometres from her home.
The family put up a $50,000 reward for information that would bring her killer to justice. Police previously arrested Iain Hunt at the couple’s Port Moody home in July 2022, but he was released without charges shortly after.
Ibbott says she believes the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team has done its due diligence in this investigation, but her frustrations lie with the B.C. Prosecution Service.
“Justice is first-degree murder charges, a life sentence,” said Ibbott.
“Since this case is now in court, IHIT will not be commenting further so as not to impact the prosecution process,” said Sgt. Freda Fong of IHIT in an email to CTV News.
The B.C. Prosecution Service gave a similar statement to CTV News.
The BCPS says that under its charge assessment guidelines, charges will only be approved if Crown counsel is satisfied that the evidence gathered by the investigative agency provides a substantial likelihood of conviction and, if so, that a prosecution is required in the public interest.
“A substantial likelihood of conviction exists where Crown counsel is satisfied there is a strong, solid case of substance to present to the court,” wrote the BCPS in an email.
“Crown counsel must also remain aware of the presumption of innocence, the prosecution’s burden of proof beyond a reasonable doubt and the fact that under Canadian criminal law, a reasonable doubt can arise from the evidence, the absence of evidence, inconsistencies in the evidence or the credibility or reliability of one or more of the witnesses,” wrote the agency. It adds that the person accused of an offence does not have to prove that he or she did not commit the offence; rather, the Crown bears the burden of proof from beginning to end.
“When assessing the strength of the case the Crown must also consider the likelihood that viable defences will succeed,” wrote the BCPS.
The service says that it rarely shares the reasoning behind decision-making in individual prosecutions because it says that would undermine its independence and the rule of law.
“In this case, the evidence submitted by the police supports the charge laid but not any additional charges,” wrote the BCPS.
It says charge assessment is an ongoing process and that, should additional evidence be submitted by the police, it would reassess the case in its entirety at that time.
Hunt is not currently in custody.
“That fury and that anger that you feel like right in the heart, is that, you know, he’s just going on and living his life,” said Ibbott.
Hunt is set to appear on the indignity to human remains charge on April 23.
“We are going to show up and fight for Trina every time,” said Ibbott. “We are Trina’s voice now, and we are going to be loud.”
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
