Justice minister orders review of decades-old unsolved murder investigation in P.E.I.

The provincial justice minister in Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.) has ordered a review of the investigation into a decades-old unsolved murder case following the withdrawal of charges last week. Crown prosecutors withdrew charges against Todd Joseph Gallant after Charlottetown police lost crucial evidence, including a knife that would have been used as an exhibit in court.

Gallant was initially charged with first-degree murder and interfering with human remains in 2024 following an investigation into the 1988 killing of teacher Byron Carr, whose body was found strangled and stabbed in his Charlottetown home. The allegations against Gallant were not tested in court. Darren MacDougall, Charlottetown’s interim chief of police, blamed a lack of consistent "property management systems" for the missing evidence.

Justice Minister Bloyce Thompson directed the Office of the Police Commissioner to appoint a third party to conduct the review, emphasizing the need to ensure public confidence in the justice system.

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