Charge dropped in Kamloops motel stabbing

A Kamloops man won't be facing charges after a stabbing last month at a Kamloops motel. The BC Prosecution Service stayed an aggravated assault charge against Keenan James Robertson just weeks after his arrest, claiming the charge standard was "no longer met," a spokesperson said....

Charge dropped in Kamloops motel stabbing

A Kamloops man won't be facing charges after a stabbing last month at a Kamloops motel.

The BC Prosecution Service stayed an aggravated assault charge against Keenan James Robertson just weeks after his arrest, claiming the charge standard was "no longer met," a spokesperson said.

Robertson, 28, was arrested shortly after Kamloops RCMP responded to the Tournament Inn on Sept. 28.

Police were called around 8:20 p.m., where Jordan Stacey, a man in his 30s, was suffering from serious injuries.

“The victim was transported to hospital by ambulance and is in stable condition. The suspect, a man in his 20s, was taken into custody without issue, to be held for a bail hearing. Both parties were known to each other," Cpl. Crystal Evelyn of Kamloops RCMP said in a news release at the time.

Robertson was charged the next day, later released on multiple conditions, include an order to stay away from Stacey, six other people and the Tournament Inn. He was also ordered to stay at a drug recovery centre while on bail as of Oct. 13.

He appeared in court again on Oct. 20, when the Crown decided to stay the charge.

Prosecution service spokesperson Dan McLaughlin did not explain why the charge was dropped, other than to say it came after reviewing "further investigative materials."

Kamloops RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Crystal Evelyn did not answer when asked whether police will continue to investigate, instead deferring to McLaughlin for a response.

When pressed, she said the Crown's decision to stay "indicates the matter's conclusion."

While a stay of proceedings does indicate the charge is dropped, it doesn't mean the Crown can't try again. Depending on the crime, Crown could pursue the same charge again within a year for more serious charges and six months for minor offences.

Robertson isn't clear of all criminal proceedings, however, as he is still under bail conditions related to an alleged Quesnel assault earlier this year.

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