A Montrose man accused of killing his estranged wife will stand trial before a judge and jury for first-degree murder.
A preliminary hearing for Donald James Danchella concluded last week in Rossland Supreme Court. Such hearings are used to determine if there is enough evidence to send a case to trial.
According to the BC Prosecution Service, Danchella was ordered to stand trial “by consent.” He elected to be tried by a Supreme Court judge and jury. He will return to court on April 7 to schedule his next appearance.
Danchella, who was born in 1977, has been in custody since Nov. 4, 2024. On that day, police were called to a home in Montrose about a man assaulting a woman on the front lawn. Lindsay Batts Danchella, 44, died in hospital.
Lindsay was survived by her young son, her mother, sister, and other family. She was raised in Richmond and obtained a nursing degree and bachelor of science.
She moved to Montrose in 2018 and became the patient care co-ordinator of the surgical unit at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital. She was later community care co-ordinator for Trail home health services.
Two vigils have been held in her honour, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women.
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