B.C. high court upholds manslaughter convictions for two Kelowna men

Jan 20, 2016 | 3:51 PM

VANCOUVER — Two Kelowna, B.C., men convicted of manslaughter in the beating death of a 51-year-old man have lost appeals in the province’s highest court. 

Matthew McRae and Anson Schell were sentenced to three-and-a-half years and three-years respectively for their part in the slaying of Dain Phillips during a feud in Kelowna in June, 2011.

The two appealed, arguing they did not play a part because the fatal blows were delivered by others.

In a unanimous ruling, the B.C. Court of Appeal rejected the claim, finding McRae and Schell knew a fight was brewing with Phillips and his sons, and were aware of a plan to harm them during a pre-arranged meeting set up by McRae’s younger brother.