Douglas Garland, the man accused of murdering Alvin and Kathy Liknes along with their grandson Nathan O’Brien appeared in court briefly on Thursday.
His lawyer, Kim Ross, made a request for the disclosure of evidence from police so he could review it and determine the next steps.
Ross says he expects to have those documents by next week.He says that Garland is also wanting to see the evidence against him. "He is doing as good as can be expected. He's anxious to see the disclosure."
Shane Parker, Crown lawyer, says that prosecutors will be meeting will all the family to keep them informed of the court process. "Well be putting them in contact with the victim assistance unit to keep them updated on court process and also about the finer details about what's happening from a procedural standpoint," Parker said.
He says it's important for them to know what's going on. "It's critical, just from a human standpoint, to understand what's happening. If we can help them by explaining the court process, then that's helpful."
Cherri Hodgins, a close friend of Kathy Liknes, spoke with reporters on Thursday following the appearance. She says the family is 'shattered' right now in the wake of the deaths. "Kathy was a very dear friend to me and Jennifer (O'Brien) is very close to me. I've known her since she was born. I call myself her godmother. I love her like a godmother."
Hodgins says the family appreciates all the support the family has recieved nationwide. "While the media coverage might stop, we still need to raise funds for this family. This young family is absolutely shattered and they need all of our support across the country. From tragedy, we are trying to do something positive to support the people we love."
She says that funds are being raised through a trust account accessible at CIBC. Interested persons can ask about the "O'Brien Fund" at any CIBC branch.
"I think it's essential because the Liknes' had six children and twelve grandchildren and the family is in pieces," Hodgins says. "Nobody is working, nobody can get back to normalcy, whatever normalcy is at this point. It's going to take a long time for us to be able to recover. This is a young family who didn't deserve this, but does deserve our love and support."
Garland, who has been at the Calgary Remand Centre since his arrest on July 14, is charged with two counts of first degree murder and one count of second degree murder in the deaths.
Investigators still have not found any of the bodies.
Detectives with the Calgary Police Service traveled Mexico, working with authorities there to learn more about the details of the Liknes’ plans about moving there. They have not said anything about what they found, if anything.
Authorities have also scoured the property of Garland’s parents northeast of Airdrie and turned up no trace of any of the victims.
He is expected back in court on September 17.
