This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7266614.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Pickton 'may not face new trial' Pickton 'may not face new trial'
(about 19 hours later)
A Canadian serial killer will not face a second trial on a further 20 counts of murder if he loses an appeal against his first conviction, officials say.A Canadian serial killer will not face a second trial on a further 20 counts of murder if he loses an appeal against his first conviction, officials say.
British Columbia Attorney General Wally Oppal said another trial of Robert Pickton would serve no purpose as he would be serving the maximum term.British Columbia Attorney General Wally Oppal said another trial of Robert Pickton would serve no purpose as he would be serving the maximum term.
The 58-year-old pig farmer was given life last year for killing six Vancouver prostitutes.The 58-year-old pig farmer was given life last year for killing six Vancouver prostitutes.
It was thought he would be tried on the further 20 counts at a later date.It was thought he would be tried on the further 20 counts at a later date.
Mr Oppal said that if the appeal court overturned Pickton's convictions, then the British Columbia Criminal Justice Branch would proceed with new first-degree murder charges on all 26 counts.Mr Oppal said that if the appeal court overturned Pickton's convictions, then the British Columbia Criminal Justice Branch would proceed with new first-degree murder charges on all 26 counts.
Pickton may face this prospect anyway as prosecutors have also appealed against the six convictions of second-degree murder.
They are calling for Pickton to face a new trial on 26 counts of first-degree murder, a more serious charge.
'Injustice''Injustice'
Lilliane Beaudoin, whose sister was among those 20, told the Associated Press news agency that she was outraged Pickton may not be tried.Lilliane Beaudoin, whose sister was among those 20, told the Associated Press news agency that she was outraged Pickton may not be tried.
"To me, that's telling me I'll never actually know who committed this crime. And I will never see punishment for my sister. That's injustice" she said."To me, that's telling me I'll never actually know who committed this crime. And I will never see punishment for my sister. That's injustice" she said.
Vancouver's vanished womenVancouver's vanished women
Pickton's lawyers have appealed against his conviction, arguing that the judge made errors during the 10-month trial that concluded last December. Pickton's lawyers have appealed against his conviction, arguing that the judge made errors during the 10-month trial that concluded last December. He was acquitted of first-degree murder on the first six charges, but found guilty of second-degree murder - a lesser charge that means a murder was not premeditated.
Pickton was acquitted of first-degree murder on the first six charges, but found guilty of second-degree murder - a lesser charge that means a murder was not premeditated.
Trial prosecutors have also appealed against the convictions, calling for Pickton to face a new trial on 26 counts of first-degree murder, a more serious charge.
Most of Pickton's victims were prostitutes and drug addicts from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.Most of Pickton's victims were prostitutes and drug addicts from Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
Police are investigating the cases of another 40 women missing from the region.Police are investigating the cases of another 40 women missing from the region.