A mistrial has been declared in the case of a former Napier councillor accused of drowning his wife in a Canadian lake.
Laura Letts-Beckett was allegedly murdered by her NZ husband Peter Beckett. Photo: Facebook
One juror dissented, meaning the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict.
Crown Counsel Joel Gold said the jury was hung and the judge declared a mistrial
Kamloops This Week reports that Peter Beckett still stands accused of the first-degree murder of his wife, Laura Letts-Beckett, who drowned in a British Columbia lake in August 2010.
The prosecution in the four-month trial said the 59-year-old killed his wife out of greed, hoping to cash in on life-insurance and accidental-death benefits, as well as her teacher's pension.
The defence said her death was either accidental or a suicide, pointing to a diary entry in which she said she had suicidal thoughts.
Ms Letts-Beckett, who was not a strong swimmer, drowned after going into the water while on an evening boat ride with her husband.
Beckett remains in custody awaiting a new trial date, which will be set next week.