A Vancouver Provincial Court judge is now hearing evidence in a preliminary inquiry for a man charged with murder in the slaying of another man at a Vancouver rooming house.
Jorge Marquez Medina, 67, is charged with the murder.
Vancouver police said they were called on Jan. 17, 2023, to reports of a shooting inside the West Hotel rooming house near East Hastings and Carrall streets.
Inside, officers found the body of 20-year-old Thunder Dennis of Chase, B.C.
The accused remains in custody.
Judge Kathryn Denhoff is hearing the case.
Medina stood in the prisoner dock clad in red jail sweats, clutching a bundle of papers. He soon squatted on the floor with his head in his hands before being allowed to move to the lawyers' table with veteran Vancouver defence lawyer Jim Heller, who is representing him.
Preliminary inquiries are held to determine if enough evidence exists to proceed to trial.
Such inquiries are covered by a publication ban so as not to taint a possible jury pool if an accused elects trial by B.C. Supreme Court judge and jury.
