WARNING: This article contains content related to domestic violence and gender-based violence, which may be distressing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know is in danger call 911 or contact Archway Society for Domestic Peace in Vernon at 250-542-1122.

A man who is in custody for allegedly murdering his ex-wife attended a court date in a Kelowna B.C. Supreme courtroom over video, on March 24, however, his lawyer did not show up.

The accused, Vitali Stefanski, wore a red jumpsuit as he appeared on camera from prison. Vitali Stefanski has been in custody since May 31, 2024, when he was charged with second degree murder in relation to the death of his ex-wife, Tatjana Stefanski. 

asked the public for assistance in locating Tatjana Stefanski, a 44-year-old mother of two from Lumby. Tatjana's family had filed a police report in fear that she may have been abducted by her ex-husband Vitali.  

The RCMP told the public that witnesses saw Tatjana speaking with Vitali before she departed with him unexpectedly in a black Audi. 

Her body was found on April 14, 2024, in a rural area near Lumby. Vitali was then found and arrested by police. He was later released under conditions before being arrested again and charged with second-degree murder on May 31. 

that did not identify Tatjiana or Vitali by name due to the ongoing court case, B.C.'s Independent Investigations Office stated that in the months preceding Tatjiana's death, the RCMP had received reports reflecting concern for the safety of a woman who was later found dead, on April 14. 

Now, Crown Counsel Matthew Blow has requested that Vitali's second degree murder trial proceed by direct indictment, which would mean without a preliminary inquiry. 

The next appearance is on April 7 at 2 p.m. at Vernon Law Courts for the process hearing to occur. 

"If counsel are available sooner, then it香蕉视频直播檚 possible that it will be called ahead to an earlier date," said Damienne Darby, BC Prosecution Service communications counsel.

Often, in complex or serious cases in the Supreme Court, or trials that are to be heard by both a judge and jury, a preliminary inquiry is held in provincial court before the trial begins. 

Vitali has already elected to be tried by both a Supreme Court judge and jury.

The preliminary inquiry can be thought of as a practice test to ensure sufficient evidence has been gathered to allow the trial to proceed smoothly. Preliminary inquiries are also used to determine the admissibility of contentious pieces of evidence. Often Crown and defence lawyers will disagree on which pieces of information ought to be lawfully entered as evidence in the trial. Typically, the information presented in a preliminary inquiry is barred from publication under a court-ordered ban.

The judge presiding over the preliminary inquiry will make decisions on the admissibility of evidence and whether there is enough evidence to proceed to a full trial. 

However, Vitali's lawyer failed to join the court's video conference on March 24. No reason was given for why the lawyer was not in attendance. 

The four-day preliminary inquiry for the case had already been scheduled to begin on March 31, in Vernon. However, should the application to proceed with a direct indictment be granted, the case would move directly to trial, and the four-day inquiry would be cancelled.

The charges of second degree murder that Vitali is facing have not been proven in court.