Sask. pair cleared of plot to kill spouses

A Saskatchewan couple accused of plotting to kill their spouses have been found not guilty.

Melfort’s Angela Nicholson and Curtis Vey, who lives near Wakaw, were originally convicted three years ago of planning to kill their partners in 2013, with an audio recording secretly taken by Vey’s then-wife featuring prominently in the case.

The judge entered the verdict after ruling that the audio recording was inadmissible.

A jury initially convicted them in 2016 and they were each sentenced to three years in prison.

The Saskatchewan Court of Appeal, in ordering a new trial last year, said the judge didn’t make it clear jurors must be satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt that the two intended to commit murder.

Court heard that Vey and Nicholson were having an affair. They were arrested in 2013 after Vey’s wife made a secret recording that appeared to suggest the pair was plotting to kill her and Nicholson’s husband.

The jury heard that Vey’s wife was to die in a house fire and Nicholson’s husband was to be drugged and disappear.

Vey and Nicholson said there was no intent behind the plot.

Vey told police that he knew his wife was recording him and talked about the murder plot to give his wife and family something to talk about. Nicholson told officers she never intended to carry out the plan.

Vey’s wife, Brigitte Vey, said outside the courthouse in Prince Albert after Monday’s ruling that she is OK with the acquittal.

“I’m at peace that it’s finally over,” she said.

Vey and Nicholson cleared and found not guilty. @princealbertnow @northeastNOW_SK

— nigel maxwell (@nigelmaxwell) May 27, 2019

Brigitte Vey outside court with reaction to decision. @princealbertnow @northeastNOW_SK pic.twitter.com/8czxGjOk66

— nigel maxwell (@nigelmaxwell) May 27, 2019

— With files from The Canadian Press and paNOW’s Nigel Maxwell