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In 2006, Winchester Orlando Thomas was sentenced to 12 years in a federal penitentiary after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the death of Barbara Ann Joseph near Fort St. James.I covered the murder in 2004 - the details were gruesome. I got to see the crime scene. It was a crime mired in the drugs, alcohol and despair that plagued the First Nations community.
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Nov 03 2004
Arrest made in Joseph homicide
By Monisha MartinsThe Fort St. James RCMP with the assistance of North District Major Crime Unit have arrested a23-year-old from Tachie in connection with the murder of Barbara Anne Joseph.Winchester Orlando Thomas has been charged with second degree murder and has beenremanded in custody awaiting a court appearance on Nov. 2 in Fort St. James.“The members of the North District Major Crime Unit and members of the Fort St. James andTachie satellite detachments spent their own time to bring this to fruition,” said Fort St. JamesStaff. Sgt. Steve Berney.“They worked their hearts off to get to this point.”Fort St. James RCMP worked directly with investigators from the North District Major Crime Unitfrom Prince George and dozens of family members, friends and acquaintances of the victim wereinterviewed to piece together the last known activities of Joseph.Joseph was last seen alive at 11 p.m. on September 5.She was found in a house on Lower Road in Nak’azdli the next day.During the investigation, police did not rule out the possibility of prior contact with the suspectand said they were treating the matter as a possible targeted act.Joseph’s family is finally getting the closure it wants.“We are so relieved,” said Belinda Joseph, the victim’s daughter, who has been contacting hersiblings to give them the news.“I’ve been trying to reach them all day,” she said.Winchester Thomas was an acquaintance of Joseph’s and is known by members of the herfamily.He was questioned early in the investigation.RCMP would still appreciate more information on the case.“If you witnessed or heard anything on the day, you can call the Fort St. James RCMP or CrimeStoppers. The RCMP always appreciates more evidences,” said Berney.Belinda Joseph said the RCMP were also waiting on DNA evidence connected to the case.No more arrests are expected.
© Copyright 2007 Caledonia Courier
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