The father-of-four accused in the murder of teen Jennifer Cusworth 18 years ago will appear in a Kelowna courtroom Monday as the trial into the cold case is set to begin.
The body of college student, 19, was discovered dumped in a ditch beside a private driveway in Kelowna on October 16, 1993.
Neil Snelson, a local Christian musician who is actively involved in the First Lutheran Church in Kelowna, was arrested in 2009 after new DNA evidence provided a break in the case. It was almost 16 years to the day after Cusworth's death.
Police say Snelson and Cusworth had attended the same large house party the night she was murdered.
Snelson, who is married, has no criminal record.
Investigators had gathered over 230 DNA samples since her death. Ten people refused to give a sample.
Crown lawyers and Snelson's defenders will spend the next two weeks arguing evidence admissibility before a judge. A jury will also be selected.
The trial is expected to last for four weeks.
