Image Credit: IIO

By James Peters

IIO

Police watchdog clears RCMP of wrongdoing in downtown Kamloops stabbing death

Jun 22, 2021 | 2:16 PM

KAMLOOPS — B.C.’s police watchdog says it will not recommend charges against Kamloops RCMP officers in relation to an August, 2020 stabbing death.

On August 1 of last year, Paul Whitten, 39, was stabbed to death at a residence on Clarke Street in downtown Kamloops. Jason Holm, 37, was arrested and charged with second degree murder in the death.

Whitten and Holm were neighbours. At the time, RCMP said the incident was not connected to organized crime or the drug trade.

The day before the incident, a relative of Holm’s called RCMP and asked officers to check on him. The relative was concerned about Holm’s mental health.

RCMP officers visited the man’s home but weren’t able to locate him, so they left.

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Ron MacDonald, Chief Civilian Director of the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO), says he has reviewed the evidence and found that police actions had no bearing on the killing.

MacDonald says the IIO investigation is closed.

Holm’s next court date is set for July 22 at the Kamloops courthouse for a pre-trial conference.

WATCH: CFJC Today aired this report on August 4, 2020.