A Montrose man accused of killing his estranged wife won’t go to trial this November as originally scheduled.
Donald James Danchella is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Lindsay Batts Danchella.
Although he was expected to be tried by jury, Danchella appeared in court on Wednesday and re-elected to be tried by judge alone. His lawyer sought an adjournment of the trial, which was granted.
He will be back in court on Sept. 28 to set new trial dates. Last month Danchella fired one of his lawyers.
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 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.
