A man who spent time behind bars for allegedly murdering his wife is now suing for the return of his motorhome upon his release.
Peter Beckett, a former New Zealand city councillor, stood trial twice for the murder of his wife Laura Letts-Beckett. The first trial resulted in a hung jury, but he was convicted of first-degree murder during the second trial.
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However, the B.C. Court of Appeal quashed his conviction in September 2020 and ordered a new trial.
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Instead of following through on a third trial, the Crown decided to stay the proceedings against Beckett, and he was released from prison.
Letts-Beckett drowned while the couple was boating in 2010.
The couple had been staying near Revelstoke in their motorhome at the time.
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According to civil court documents recently filed by Beckett, he was the sole registered owner of the 2007 Fleetwood Revolution 40LE Motorhome.
He said he bought it for $196,000 USD.
Beckett claims Brian Graham, the defendant, wrongly sold the vehicle to somebody else and refuses to give him details about the purchaser or possible location.
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According to the civil claim, Graham told Beckett that he would store the motorhome for free in March 2012.
Beckett also claims that Graham then sold the vehicle for $17,501 sometime in November 2016 to offset storage charges.
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He’s asking the court to issue an order directing the motorhome to be returned to him, a judgment of $200,000 for loss and damages resulting from Graham’s conduct and for his expenses to be covered.
Graham has not yet filed a statement of defence.
