8 pages WEDNESDAY Murder appeal ends in mistrial BY BRENT MUDRY Contributing Writer BEYOND reasonable doubt »—— that’s the dilemma that , faced 12 members of the jury considering the second mur- der trial of an elderly former . West Vancouver man accused - cf killing his life-long wife in - their Park Royal Towers _ apartment four years ago. After four days of difficult delibera- tion, a hung jury was declared, rendering a mistrial: for Gerald “Larry” O'Grady, -The retired taxi driver now faces the ‘prospect of a third trial if the Crown con- firms its desire of trying the case again. O'Grady’s second trial ended Sunday ‘morning, after a four-week trial and four . days of jury deliberations. The first indication of problems with a.verdict became clear on Friday morn- -.ing-when the jury disclosed its deadlock “to the court. Throughout the weekend, the. polarized jury remained in isolation. as it tfied in vain to reach a unanimous ; decision. ‘| Although O’°Grady was convicted three: years ago for the murder of his ‘wife’ Beverly, he successfully appealed See Blood page 13 Thursday: Mainly cloudy High 21°C, low 13°C. attain hen — NEWS photo Cindy Goodman (Vioon shot money repaid BY ANNA MARIE D’ANGELO News Reporter | | | THE former manager of the North Shore Economic Development Commission has repaid the organization $92,791.27, Bonnie M. Pyplacz voluntarily returned the money this month to the non-profit municipal agency, according to Peter White. North Shore Economic Development Commission (NSEDC) chairman. The non-profit NSEDC is funded to the tune of $173,000 a year by all three North Shore municipalities and the provincial government. ; Pyplacz, who was the “economic development officer.” earned a yearly salary of $59,764.96 in 1995. The commission was started in 1989 to promote business and employment on the North Shore. The NSEDC has conducted studies of the Dundarave business district, com- plied a directory of high-tech indusiries based on the North Shore and developed an Internet web site for local business- es. : According to an NSEDC press release, a commission audit determined that some payments made by the NSEDC in late 1992 to February of this year “ought not to have been made.” The payments, NSEDC claims, were made to consulting firms controlled oy Pyplacz. The NSEDC said the money Pyplacz gave to the commission this month cov- ers the consulting firms” repayment. a “small amount” of expenses received by her and includes a contribution to accounting and legal expenses of the NSEDC. Ina Maren press release, the NSEDC stated that Pyplacz was no longer employed by the commission and that no comment would be made as it was a per- sonnel matter. ; Judy Perkins has became interim inde } ; FOREST Hills’ centre fielder Tom MacMaster keeps his eye on the ball! during the Provincial Senior Little League championships at Inter-River Park on Monday a Bright LIGHtE nennnne VO night. Forest Hills beat West Van 10-6 in the all-North Shore final. The winners will Cor) 7 “WR Crossword... nnn. 45 ot 18 represent B.C. at the Nationals in Saint John, New Brunswick, beginning Aug. 1. oyla BY IAN NOBLE News Reporter WEST Vancouver has chucked out a proposed numerically based zoning bylaw that was aimed at stopping the spread of monster homes in the upscale municipality. Ata Monday night council meeting, Coun. Rod Day said the district would instead pursue further consultations during August on curbing bulk housing and a report on a revised propos- al would be ready in September. lnstead of the heavily criticized zoning laws. WV wrangles with monster housing Day said future work wouid focus on a design review process as recommended by the dis- trict’s Advisory Planning Commission. Day differentiated the anticipated desiga review process from design contrel, “We're not intending to tell people how to design their homes or try to legishite good taste.” he said. The veview process could include working from guidelines and a portfolio of acceptable design, said Day. He added that those with other ideas will manager of the NSEDC. also be listened to during August consultations, The decision to abandon whe current bylaw and refocus on a design review process met with approval from those addressing council on the issue Monday night. Land surveyor Bill Chapman told council he met with architects and designers and they have serious concerns with the abandoned bylaw, Calling it overkill, he said numerical limits will limit diversity in homes, “You can’t keep West Vancouver unique by making them all the same,” he said. Day acknowledged the strong response to staff's zoning recommendations during public hearings. Much of the concern was aimed at the See Nambers page 4