Eight months after a dramatic homicide by stabbing at Salish Plaza, a preliminary inquiry began Thursday in Chilliwack provincial court.
Gerald Leslie Dolman, 64, slouched in the prisoner's box as his lawyer Chris Terepocki and Crown counsel Paul Blessin asked questions of a witness alleged to have been with the victim at the time of the incident in front of Save-On-Foods on May 3, 2016.
In court Thursday, Dolman had a shaved head with a trim, white goatee beard and was dressed in standard issue red sweatshirt and pants.
None of the details of what was presented in the preliminary inquiry scheduled to wrap up Friday can be reported due to a publication ban.
Dolman is charged with one count of second-degree murder in the killing of 49-year-old Robert Splitt.
Dozens of witnesses were in the busy parking lot on May 3 at approximately 3:30 p.m. when a cyclist was first struck then two cars collided near the south entrance to the Save-On-Foods.
A verbal altercation escalated to a physical one resulting in the alleged hit-and-run driver stabbing the other man.
Mounties were called to reports of a stabbing, and Splitt was found at the scene, was treated by emergency personnel but succumbed to his injuries.
In an interview a day after the stabbing with individuals who knew Splitt (called "Igor" by friends) and who spoke on condition of anonymity, it was alleged that a woman who worked as a prostitute, and who had been stealing money from Dolman, was the reason behind the violence and was with Splitt that day.
After the preliminary inquiry this week trial dates will be scheduled.
None of the allegations or the details outlined by friends of the victim have been confirmed nor have been proven in court.
paul.henderson@theprogress.com
@PeeJayAitch