A Rochester man charged with accessory to murder in connection with the death of Randy Lopushinsky will learn his fate next month.
Billy Joe Deren, 36, of Rochester, appeared before Judge Peter Ayotte in Fort Saskatchewan Provincial Court on Thursday, Aug. 18 where he faced counts of accessory to murder and offering an indignity to human remains.
Deren had been expected to plead guilty, however Crown prosecutor Greg Gudelot asked for the matters be waived to St. Albert Provincial Court on Sept. 23 for resolution.
Deren, who appeared in court from the prisoner’s box, did not address court, while his counsel, Ted Croll, didn’t object to the adjournment.
Lopushinsky, 56, of Redwater, disappeared Saturday, Jan. 23, and was reported missing Jan. 26.
His 2007 Ford Escape was recovered in a rural area northwest of Westlock on Sunday, Jan. 30. On Feb. 17 police reported they had recovered Lopushinsky’s body, but did not release where or when it was found.
On Saturday, Feb. 13, Jon Irwin Ward, 41, of Thorhild, was charged with second-degree murder, while Deren was arrested and charged on Feb. 16.
Ward, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter on July 21 in Fort Saskatchewan Provincial Court, is currently serving a seven-year jail sentence.
Details of the case remain unknown as the Westlock News is in the process of getting transcripts from the July 21 sentencing hearing.
