VANCOUVER — A mariner who was convicted in the fatal sinking of a passenger ferry off B.C.'s coast has lost an appeal of the verdict.
Karl Lilgert was convicted of criminal negligence causing death and sentenced to four years for the sinking of the Queen of the North.
The ferry struck an island and sank in March 2006 and two passengers were never seen again.
The Crown's theory at trial was that Lilgert missed a routine turn because he was distracted by his ex-lover, who was on the bridge with him that night.
Lilgert's defence lawyer alleged the judge made numerous mistakes in her instructions to the jury, particularly when she explained the offence of criminal negligence causing death.
But a three-judge B.C. Appeal Court panel has issued a unanimous decision, concluding the judge's instructions were adequate and has dismissed Lilgert's appeal.
