After alleged homicide in Canada, man vows to fight for his share of life insurance benefits and more
A former politician who has been accused of murdering his wife vowed to earn his share of her inheritance, including accidental death and life insurance benefits.
We’ve already examined the story of Peter Beckett, a former politician from New Zealand, who is accused of killing his wife near Revelstoke in British Columbia (see Alleged life insurance fraud lands politician in Canadian court). The couple were taking a vacation in British Columbia when Laura Letts-Beckett drowned in Upper Arrow Lake in August, 2010. Originally it was believed that the death was an accident – however, Beckett faced charges one year later.
Crown lawyer Sarah Firestone suggested that Beckett was likely to gain a significant level of money as a result of Letts-Beckett’s death. This included a pension from her teaching profession, as well as accidental death benefits and life insurance benefits.
Now, jurors have listened to a number of phone calls made by Beckett both before and after his arrest back in August, 2011.
During a May 2011 conversation, Beckett informed Letts-Beckett’s aunt, Margaret Blatchford, that he would fight for her inheritance. He is quoted as saying: “I’m still their son-in-law, right? What was due to Laura is certainly due to me. I’ll challenge that in court any time.”
Beckett also commented that he believed Letts-Beckett’s family caused her death. His defence lawyer implied that the deceased had issues with depression largely because of problems with her family.
The couple met back in 1995, in New Zealand. Beckett then moved to Alberta before the couple married in 2003. Their relationship has been described by witnesses as rocky and included a brief separation in 2007.
Beckett was previously a city councillor in Napier, New Zealand.
We’ve already examined the story of Peter Beckett, a former politician from New Zealand, who is accused of killing his wife near Revelstoke in British Columbia (see Alleged life insurance fraud lands politician in Canadian court). The couple were taking a vacation in British Columbia when Laura Letts-Beckett drowned in Upper Arrow Lake in August, 2010. Originally it was believed that the death was an accident – however, Beckett faced charges one year later.
Crown lawyer Sarah Firestone suggested that Beckett was likely to gain a significant level of money as a result of Letts-Beckett’s death. This included a pension from her teaching profession, as well as accidental death benefits and life insurance benefits.
Now, jurors have listened to a number of phone calls made by Beckett both before and after his arrest back in August, 2011.
During a May 2011 conversation, Beckett informed Letts-Beckett’s aunt, Margaret Blatchford, that he would fight for her inheritance. He is quoted as saying: “I’m still their son-in-law, right? What was due to Laura is certainly due to me. I’ll challenge that in court any time.”
Beckett also commented that he believed Letts-Beckett’s family caused her death. His defence lawyer implied that the deceased had issues with depression largely because of problems with her family.
The couple met back in 1995, in New Zealand. Beckett then moved to Alberta before the couple married in 2003. Their relationship has been described by witnesses as rocky and included a brief separation in 2007.
Beckett was previously a city councillor in Napier, New Zealand.
