A decision by Christopher Alexander Falconer to appeal his first-degree murder conviction in the death of Amber Kirwan isn’t sitting well with some Pictou County, N.S. residents.
According to court documents, Falconer has been at the Atlantic Institution in Renous, N.B. since he was convicted of killing 19-year-old Kirwan at Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Pictou last month.
Falconer, 31, was given an automatic sentence of life in prison with no parole eligibility for 25 years after he was convicted by a jury on Jan. 28.
He pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in the death of Kirwan, who vanished after leaving a pool hall in New Glasgow on Oct. 9, 2011.
Her naked, bound remains were discovered in a clandestine grave about a month later in nearby Heathbell.
Falconer has filed a prisoner notice of appeal, without legal representation. In handwritten text, Falconer says the evidence does not support the verdict, and there should have been a change in venue.
Crown attorneys Patrick Young and Bill Gorman say they weren’t surprised by Falconer’s application.
“That’s not uncommon because he’s serving a life sentence, so he’s got nothing to lose by attempting to get this before a court, to have other judges take a look at it, says Young.
The Kirwan family has not commented on the matter, but Gorman says Kirwan’s father Don was upset to hear about the appeal.
“Disappointed. I think he thought that this particular phase in their lives in dealing with the death of their daughter had come to a conclusion,” says Gorman.
Some Pictou County residents are also expressing disappointment over the appeal, saying Falconer got a fair trial and the jury reached the right verdict in the case.
“I believe there was a lot of evidence there to convict Mr. Falconer of what he did and I believe justice was served in this situation,” says trial spectator Clint Bonvie.
“It has been a very emotional situation for sure and I think most people in Pictou County feel justice has been served,” says Pictou resident Bud Rudolph.
Others say those convicted of murder have the right to appeal, but hope the courts will make the right decision.
“I don’t know if he’s guilty. They said he is, so I’m assuming that justice will follow through as it’s supposed to,” says Pictou resident Eric Daley.
The Crown has 80 days to file a response to the appeal application.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Dan MacIntosh and The Canadian Press
