HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2010-03-18, Page 13THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010. PAGE 13.
Highway 21 dedicated
Accused killer broke into home say reportsAccording to published reports,Fred Preston, who was charged withthe first-degree murder of OntarioProvincial Police (O.P.P.) Provincial
Constable Vu Pham and attempted
murder of OPP Provincial Constable
Dell Wilfred Mercey, had broken
into his in-laws Walton-area home
prior to a shootout that that lead to
the charges.
Fred’s brother Alex was quoted in
The London Free Press as saying
that, following an argument between
Preston and his estranged wife on
Saturday, March 6, he believes his
brother just “snapped”.
Preston, who died on Thursday,
March 10 after his family removed
him from life support, went to his in-
laws’ home on North Line in Huron
East, on Monday, March 8.
Upon finding no one home, broke
in, according to his brother.
After breaking in, Preston used his
in-laws’ phone to contact his
daughter, and told her something that
made her call the police because she
believed he was going to do
something “radical”.
Preston had, according to his
brother, been dealing with a
“tumultuous marriage” for
approximately a decade, and
financial issues. Preston’s wife, Barb, had her ownapartment, and, despite livingseparately, often visited Preston,went out with him, and made himmeals. The presence of a gun in Preston’s
possession puzzled his brother.
“That’s one thing that’s got me
confused,” he said. “I knew he was
going down there, but why did he
take the gun?”
Preston’s brother went on to say
that it was out of character, and that
he has never had any animosity
towards the police.
According to his brother, Preston
probably didn’t know Constable
Pham, despite having once lived in
the same community.
Preston had been staying at the
home of one of his three daughters,
looking after her animals while she
was in Florida.
“He was all alone there and [had]
all that time to think,” Alex Preston
said. “He was under a lot of stress. I
guess a mind can only stand so
much.”
Official reports about the
investigation will not be made public
until the investigation by the Special
Investigations Unit, a civilian group
that reviews any police case in which
a person is harmed, is done with
their investigation.
It was recommended by Huron
County council’s committee of the
whole that portions of Hwy. 21 that
traverse the county be dedicated to
the area’s veterans.
The motion, brought to the
committee of the whole at its March
10 meeting, states that Hwy. 21,
throughout Huron County, be
dedicated as the Veterans Bluewater
Highway.
The recommendation, proposed by
Huron County director of public
works Dave Laurie, was carried
unanimously.
A vote to ratify the dedication will
come to Huron County council at its
April 7 meeting.
It makes sense to file your returns
electronically and on time.
Find out what you can claim at:
canada.gc.ca/taxinfo
1 877-959-1-CRA
FIRST-TIME HOME BUYERS’ TAX CREDIT
A non-refundable tax credit of up to $750.
PENSION INCOME SPLITTING
Split up to 50%of eligible pension income with
your spouse or common-law partner.
HOME RENOVATION TAX CREDIT
A non-refundable tax credit of up to $1,350.
TRADESPERSON’S TOOLS EXPENSES
Deduct up to $500 from your net income.
CHILDREN’S FITNESS TAX CREDIT
A non-refundable tax credit of up to $75/child.
PUBLIC TRANSIT TAX CREDIT
A non-refundable tax credit of 15%.
Reach out and claim yours.
New
New
Part of
Goodbye to a friend
Pallbearers carried their friend and colleague OPP Const. Vu Pham into the North Huron
Wescast Community Complex on Friday for a funeral service that saw thousands of uniformed
officers, friends and family members attend. An entire picture gallery featuring dozens of
pictures from the funeral is now available on The Citizen’s website. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
By Denny ScottThe Citizen