DELTA - A Delta Police constable has been charged with second-degree murder stemming from an incident that took place nearly two years ago.
The Criminal Justice Branch has charged Const. Jordan MacWilliams by direct indictment in the death of Mehrdad Bayrami, 48, who was shot during a five-hour standoff with police outside the Starlight Casino in New Westminster on Nov. 8, 2012. He died in hospital.MacWilliams was serving as a member of the emergency response team, and has been with the Delta Police for five years and seven months."He's currently on administrative leave (with pay)," Sgt. Sarah Swallow said.The Independent Investigations Branch, based in Whalley, investigated the shooting and Chief Civilian Director Richard Rosenthal forwarded his report to Crown counsel last summer. MacWilliams was charged Mondaymorning (Oct. 20) and released on bail after appearing in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster. He is to be back in court in December.Delta Police Chief Jim Cessford said he has "limited knowledge" of the details of the case. "Also, considering the fact that this matter is now before the courts I am not in a position to make any comment relative to the charges against Const. MacWilliams," he said.