Ernest Chenoweth: Is He British Columbia’s Youngest Murderer?

I’ve never understood the human fascination with crime but there’s no denying its universal appeal. Crime stories, particularly those about true murders, unsolved and otherwise, are the subject of movies, plays, books, magazines and websites, they’re on television and radio, and among the headliners of daily newscasts.

While none of us favours criminal activity within our own communities, most of us enjoy a “good murder story,” me (heaven help me) included. Crime and romance, polar opposites are, in fact, the two most popular entertainment genres of all.

Certainly British Columbia has and has had its share of criminal activity, some of it so bizarre as to almost defy belief. But the facts speak for themselves and the Chronicles simply wouldn’t be complete without an occasional crime story.

That said, next week I introduce you to David Chenoweth. He may not be British Columbia’s youngest murderer but he’s the youngest British Columbian to be convicted of murder—a particularly cold blooded one at that. He was just eight years old when he pulled the trigger then stood in the prisoner’s dock as a jury pronounced him guilty.

It’s quite a story and you can read it all here in the Chronicles next week.

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Photo: Ernest Chenoweth was tried in the Rossland where he lived. His two-day trial actually was held in Nelson whose beautiful courthouse is shown here.--www.geocaching.com