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Accused B.C. killer loses lawyer during preliminary inquiry

Jorge Marquez Medina, 67, is charged with the murder of 20-year-old Thunder Dennis.
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Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­Provincial Court.

The man accused in the slaying of another at a Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­rooming house has lost his lawyer during the case’s preliminary inquiry.

Jorge Marquez Medina, 67, is charged with the murder.

Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­police said they were called on Jan. 17, 2023, to reports of a shooting inside the West Hotel rooming house near East Hastings and Carrall streets.

Inside, officers found the body of 20-year-old Thunder Dennis of Chase, B.C.

Preliminary inquiries are held to determine if enough evidence exists to proceed to trial. They're covered by a publication ban so as not to taint a possible jury pool if an accused elects trial by B.C. Supreme Court judge and jury.

The inquiry for Marquez-Medina began in May.

However, defence lawyer Jim Heller appeared before Âé¶¹´«Ã½Ó³»­Provincial Court Judge Jay Solomon June 13 asking to be removed as counsel from the file.

Solomon agreed and set the next hearing for June 20 for Marquez-Medina to say who his new lawyer is.

Marquez-Medina told Solomon Heller wasn’t representing him properly.

He said he has been calling legal aid for assistance in finding new counsel.

“I was expecting to have a new one today,” Marquez-Medina told Solomon in the video appearance.

Judge Kathryn Denhoff was hearing the preliminary inquiry.

The accused remains in custody.

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