A Delta police officer accused of murder in a shooting outside the Starlight Casino in New Westminster two years ago received a show of solidarity from several officers when he appeared in court Thursday.
Const. Jordan MacWilliams, who has been with the Delta Police Department for seven years, is charged with second degree murder in the death of Mehrdad Bayrami, 48, in November 2012. The incident ended a five-hour standoff in the casino parking lot. MacWilliams was part of a regional emergency response team called in to take charge of the incident.
The officers who showed up to support MacWilliams wore wristbands with his badge number on it. Delta Staff Sgt. Ryan Hall told reporters 2,500 wristbands have been sold to officers and the public and another 2,500 have been ordered.
"There's a process to be run. We're not trying to interfere with that process, we're just trying to show our support publicly for our member," said Hall.
The second-degree murder charge was laid following an investigation by the provincial Independent Investigations Office.
MacWilliams' lawyer David Butcher told reporters outside the New Westminster courthouse that the trial could set a troubling precedent for law enforcement.
"I'm sure it's going to send a chill into those who are sent out every night to look after you and me and everybody else," Butcher said.