Nov 6 2022
bc.ctvnews.ca
''The RCMP is allowed to keep "bloodied clothing" seized from a person of interest in a homicide investigation nearly 30 years ago, with a judge saying it is possible further examination could lead to a break in the case.
No one has ever been charged with the killing of Dorothy Greer Britton, whose body was found in her room at the Bonanza Hotel in Surrey in 1993, according to court documents posted online Friday.
"The decedent had been stabbed numerous times and had bruising to her neck. There was a blood-covered knife blade from a paring knife located across the top of her body," Justice John S. Harvey wrote.''
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A forensic analysis of the beer cans found in Britton's room yielded fingerprints that were identified as belonging to a person only identified by the initials "S.O.," who was also a resident of the Bonanza Hotel.
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Police interviewed S.O., who told them he had been with Britton the day before her body was found, going with her to cash her cheques and to buy the booze at a BC Liquor Store, the court heard.
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"S.O. has an extensive criminal past including crimes of violence," Harvey wrote.''
However, the decision also noted that the ongoing detention and testing of the evidence after the expiry of the initial order could be an issue if the case ever goes to trial.''
Newspaper clipping from 1993 shows forensic investigators searching for evidence outside homicide victim Dorothy Britton’s home in Newton. (Image Surrey Now-Leader)
Nov 7 2022
www.peacearchnews.com
''A B.C. Supreme Court judge has granted an RCMP application to continue to hold onto clothing that was seized from a “person of interest” following the 1993 homicide of Dorothy Britton, 80, in Newton, in light of advances in DNA forensic technology.''
''On March 30, 1993, Britton was stabbed five times in the chest in her tiny bungalow next to the Bonanza Motel, where she lived with her two pet dogs, birds and a few cats.
“The affidavit material brought before me sets out considerable advances made in DNA forensic technology since testing was performed in the 1990s and since last tested in 2008,” Harvey noted.''
Police found her body on her kitchen floor just inside the door, lying in a small pool of blood. Her television was still on and – something unusual for the elderly lady – the floral curtains in her window were drawn. A garden table was carefully arranged in her backyard a few paces away, as if awaiting an afternoon tea party.
Police were called to the house at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, after her neighbours noticed she hadn’t brought in her morning newspaper. A knife was found at the scene.
Britton was a fiercely independent lady with a kind heart, and was known as the “motel grandma.” She had an eclectic collection of china cups and saucers and a passion for arranging flowers.
A widow of 20 years, Britton was born in Victoria in 1913, had no known enemies and her main sources of income were social security and a Canada Pension cheque.
Her house was demolished many years ago.
Harvey noted that on the day after Britton died a person of interest was interviewed by police and acknowleged that he helped her pick up her cheques and then took a cab with her to Money Mart to cash them.''
DNA testing of clothing seized in 1993 could still help solve homicide, B.C. judge rules
The RCMP is allowed to keep "bloodied clothing" seized from a person of interest in a homicide investigation nearly 30 years ago, with a judge saying it is possible further examination could lead to a break in the case.
No one has ever been charged with the killing of Dorothy Greer Britton, whose body was found in her room at the Bonanza Hotel in Surrey in 1993, according to court documents posted online Friday.
"The decedent had been stabbed numerous times and had bruising to her neck. There was a blood-covered knife blade from a paring knife located across the top of her body," Justice John S. Harvey wrote.''
https://www.peacearchnews.com/weath...&utm_content=accuweather&utm_campaign=current
A forensic analysis of the beer cans found in Britton's room yielded fingerprints that were identified as belonging to a person only identified by the initials "S.O.," who was also a resident of the Bonanza Hotel.
https://www.peacearchnews.com/weath...&utm_content=accuweather&utm_campaign=current
Police interviewed S.O., who told them he had been with Britton the day before her body was found, going with her to cash her cheques and to buy the booze at a BC Liquor Store, the court heard.
https://www.peacearchnews.com/weath...&utm_content=accuweather&utm_campaign=current
"S.O. has an extensive criminal past including crimes of violence," Harvey wrote.''
However, the decision also noted that the ongoing detention and testing of the evidence after the expiry of the initial order could be an issue if the case ever goes to trial.''
Newspaper clipping from 1993 shows forensic investigators searching for evidence outside homicide victim Dorothy Britton’s home in Newton. (Image Surrey Now-Leader)
Nov 7 2022
Court permits RCMP to hold seized clothes in Surrey cold-case killing as DNA technology advances - Peace Arch News
No one has been charged in the fatal stabbing, which has gone unsolved for nearly 30 years
''On March 30, 1993, Britton was stabbed five times in the chest in her tiny bungalow next to the Bonanza Motel, where she lived with her two pet dogs, birds and a few cats.
“The affidavit material brought before me sets out considerable advances made in DNA forensic technology since testing was performed in the 1990s and since last tested in 2008,” Harvey noted.''
Police found her body on her kitchen floor just inside the door, lying in a small pool of blood. Her television was still on and – something unusual for the elderly lady – the floral curtains in her window were drawn. A garden table was carefully arranged in her backyard a few paces away, as if awaiting an afternoon tea party.
Police were called to the house at about 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 30, after her neighbours noticed she hadn’t brought in her morning newspaper. A knife was found at the scene.
Britton was a fiercely independent lady with a kind heart, and was known as the “motel grandma.” She had an eclectic collection of china cups and saucers and a passion for arranging flowers.
A widow of 20 years, Britton was born in Victoria in 1913, had no known enemies and her main sources of income were social security and a Canada Pension cheque.
Her house was demolished many years ago.
Harvey noted that on the day after Britton died a person of interest was interviewed by police and acknowleged that he helped her pick up her cheques and then took a cab with her to Money Mart to cash them.''