Court date for ex-councillor accused of murdering

The former Napier City councillor accused of murdering his Canadian wife has had his case adjourned until late next month.

Peter Beckett was arrested by Royal Canadian Mounted Police on August 12 following a year-long investigation into the death of his wife, Laura Letts-Beckett, who drowned in August last year.

At a Salmon Arms Provincial Court hearing in British Columbia today,  Beckett, accused of first degree murder, had his case adjourned until September 27.

He will remain in custody until this date, but will apply for bail at the hearing, a courthouse clerk said.

At the time of his wife's death, police said the two were on a boat near Shelter Bay Provincial Park when she fell in the water. She was not wearing a life jacket and could not swim.

Beckett has made two appearances in British Columbia Provincial Court, but has not yet entered a plea.

A former pupil of the school teacher, Chelsey McDonald, created a Facebook tribute page in Mrs Letts-Beckett's honour following her death, she told  Hawke's Bay Today.

"She was a well-loved colleague, family member and friend, so this is a very hard time for her friends and
 family," she said.

Letts-Beckett's family issued a short statement through police requesting privacy: "We believe the investigation is over.

"As a family, we're waiting for the justice system to take its course."