Two men facing multiple charges in connection with Vancouver’s 11th homicide of 2021 have pleaded not guilty and have elected a jury trial, a provincial court judge heard March 16.
The Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Police Department said the 40-year-old victim, Michael Bailey, was shot inside the London Hotel at 208 East Georgia St. in the Downtown Eastside early on July 20, 2021.
Initially, both suspects fled the area, police said; investigators believed the incident was targeted.
Three weeks later, Ba Hue Tran of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»was charged with one count of manslaughter using a firearm.
Joseph Mason, also of Vancouver, was charged with one count of second-degree murder.
Both men appeared before Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»Provincial Court Judge Donna Senniw for their pleas.
The trial would take place before a judge and jury in B.C. Supreme Court.
The two will also have a preliminary hearing set for Sept. 22-23.
Preliminary inquiries are held to determine if enough evidence exists to go to trial. They are covered by a publication ban to protect potential jurors from contamination.
