The criminal trial of a Victoria police officer facing two assault charges is heading to trial next month, more than three years after the alleged incident.
Const. Brent Keleher is scheduled to have his case heard in B.C. Supreme Court in Victoria, starting Feb. 27, according to the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, which has been closely monitoring the case.
At least five days have been set aside for the trial.
Keleher’s case dates back to Oct. 18, 2008, when he and Const. Ryan Young arrested two brothers for public intoxication.
Both were charged in March 2010 – Keleher for allegedly assaulting Jeffrey Meyers in a police vehicle and at the station, and Young for assaulting Jeffrey and his brother Trevor at the police jail.
The brothers were injured but did not need to be hospitalized, Victoria Police Chief Const. Jamie Graham later said.
The department’s internal investigation revealed that excessive force had been used. Young was suspended without pay for five days for neglect of duty and abuse of authority.
A written reprimand went on Keleher’s file, who was found to have used inappropriate language.
The department did not recommend Crown counsel pursue criminal charges against the officers, but Police Complaint Commissioner Stan Lowe disagreed.
Young pleaded guilty in court in May 2011, and received a conditional discharge and one year probation. Keleher pleaded not guilty, and was ordered to stand trial.
Both officers are currently assigned to VicPD’s patrol division.
-with files from Erin Cardone