The man charged in the 2017 murder of a Nanaimo teen had an appearance in B.C. Supreme Court in Nanaimo today, Sept. 18.
Steven Michael Bacon, born in 1964, faces a charge of first-degree murder in the Makayla Chang case. The 16-year-old went missing in March 2017 and her body was found that May. Bacon was named a person of interest in the case in August 2019.
Bacon appeared via video link from Thunder Bay, Ont. and Judge E. David Crossin issued an order to keep Bacon under the jurisdiction of B.C. and keep him confined to Thunder Bay.
Bacon’s next day in court is Oct. 19 at provincial court in Nanaimo.
Gil Labine, a lawyer from Thunder Bay, is representing Bacon. Nick Barber, Crown counsel, said he had no comment.
Steven Michael Bacon, accused in 2017 murder of Makayla Chang in #Nanaimo, appearing in #court via video from Thunder Bay today.
— Karl Yu (@KarlYuBulletin) September 18, 2020
Kerry Chang, Makayla’s father, was in court and said afterward that the past three and a half years have been trying.
“It made my skin crawl just to see him,” Chang said. “Aside from that, it is what it is. He’s got to face the charges definitely. We’re just happy to see it’s finally moving along.”
Chang said officials have been tight-lipped on the case, but as hard as it has been, he said his family respect that.
“We’re very happy with the way the RCMP have handled and kept it tight as it is, I guess,” said Chang. “The first-degree charge was a surprise to all of us actually, that RCMP are seeking a first-degree charge in this matter, which I think is appropriate.”