Family of slain Cape Breton war veteran relieved suspect charged with murder

It's the day the son of a slain war veteran from Cape Breton worried he would never see.

But that day has come. On Thursday, Cape Breton Regional Police said they had charged a 49-year-old man with first-degree murder in the death 10 years ago of 82-year-old Harold James "Buster" Slaunwhite.

"It feels great for the family. It's been a long time comingabout that," said Harold Slaunwhite Jr., the victim's son. "The police were on it and they never stopped until it was done. Very, very happy, yes."

Buster Slaunwhite, who had served in the Second World, was found dead by family members in his home on Brook Street in Dominion on Sept. 10, 2006. He lived alone.

Cape Breton Regional Police and Nova Scotia RCMP have been investigating his death ever since.

Police said they arrested Raymond Glenn Farrow of Glace Bay on Wednesday and charged him with murder. He appeared in Sydney provincial court Thursday morning.

Farrow, who has a prosthetic leg,wore a baseball cap low on his head and useda walker to get in and out of court.

Farrow's case has been set over until next Thursday to give him time to find a legal aid lawyer. In the meantime he will remain at the Cape Breton Correctional Centre.

He's also been ordered not to have contact with the Slaunwhite family.

"Today's charges represent the hard work of dozens of police officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Cape Breton Regional Police Service," RCMP Insp. Lynn Young said in a news release.

"The investigators worked tirelessly to find the person responsible for taking Harold's life."

In the early days of the investigation, police learned that on the day before he was found dead, Slaunwhite was seen out, driving his car.Police have not revealed how he died.

"My father was a great great person. Yes, everybody loved him. He never had an enemy in the world," said Slaunwhite Jr., who added that the arrest is a great relief for the family.

"Oh big time yes, yes. Big weight off your shoulders when you hear that. It's closure. See him behind bars, that's the thing now."

The Slaunwhite murder is part of the Nova Scotia rewards for major unsolved crimes program. Awards of up to $150,000 are offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for certain unsolved crimes.

However, Cape Breton Regional Police Chief Peter MacIsaac said at a news conference on Thursday that no one would be receiving the reward. He said local police worked closely with RCMP to solve the case.