BC Ferries officer to appeal guilty conviction

The BC Ferries officer, who was found guilty Monday on two counts of criminal negligence causing death, will appeal his conviction, his lawyer says.

"I believe the basis for the appeal will be the judge's charge to the jury and the legal instructions she gave to them," lawyer Glen Orris told CBC News.

Karl Lilgert was the officer in charge when the Queen of the North ferry struck Gil Island and sank just off the B.C. coast in March 2006, killing two people. Passengers Gerald Foisy and Shirley Rosette are presumed to have drowned.

The trial began in January and the jury took six days to reach its verdict.

Lilgert's sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 21.