The man charged in Vancouver’s 18th homicide of 2021 has pleaded not guilty and is currently in a preliminary hearing at Vancouver Provincial Court.
Kenneth Michael Desjarlais, 58, is charged in connection with the Dec. 22, 2021 stabbing death of Fernand Uregel Regimbal, 52.
Preliminary hearings are held to determine if enough evidence exists to proceed to trial. They are covered by publication bans to not taint a potential jury pool.
Court documents indicate Desjarlais pleaded guilty March 10 and elected trial by judge and jury.
Such cases are held in B.C. Supreme Court.
Police were called to the Hazelwood Hotel, near Hastings Street and Dunlevy Avenue, just after 9:30 a.m. that day for reports that a man had been stabbed outside the hotel.
The victim was taken to hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
The charge information was filed in court on Nov. 28.