A Calgary father charged with murdering his two young children made a brief first appearance in the Court of Justice on Monday. The man, who cannot be named to protect the identities of the victims, appeared via closed-circuit television from the Calgary Remand Centre.
Defence lawyer Clayton Rice requested a one-month adjournment to allow time to obtain and review initial disclosure from the prosecution. Crown prosecutor Cassandra Sampson asked that the accused be detained pending any bail application, which must be heard in the Court of King's Bench.
The charges stem from the deaths of a five-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl, whose bodies were discovered in a vehicle in the 4500 block of 14th Street N.W. on the morning of Thursday, April 30. The alleged murders are said to have occurred the previous day.
Justice Michelle Christopher presided over the brief hearing. A publication ban on the children's identities, imposed by a justice of the peace on Friday, remains in effect.
Rice told the court he had been retained to represent the accused, who faces two counts of first-degree murder. He noted that a designation of counsel had been signed but not yet filed. Once filed, it will allow the lawyer to appear on non-contentious matters without the accused being present.
“We’re requesting some time to obtain and review initial disclosure,” Rice said, asking for the case to be adjourned to June 5. The accused did not address the court beyond acknowledging that his lawyer was seeking an adjournment.
Outside the courtroom, Rice declined to comment, citing the early stage of proceedings. A Crown lawyer had not yet been assigned to the case at the time of the appearance.
The tragic incident has raised concerns about child protection oversight. Advocates have noted that warning signs may have been missed before the children were allegedly killed by their father.
