Douglas Garland ordered to stand trial in deaths of O’Brien & Liknes’

An Alberta judge has ordered Douglas Garland to stand trial for three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Kathryn and Alvin Liknes and their grandson Nathan O’Brien.

In June 2014, the couple and their grandson disappeared from the Liknes home in Parkhill. The bodies of Alvin, Kathy and Nathan have not been located but, according to police, evidence was collected indicating the three had been murdered.

Douglas Garland was identified as a person of interest in connection to the disappearance and subsequently charged.

Garland, now 55 years old, was originally charged with second-degree murder in connection to the death of the young boy, but the presiding judge, Provincial Court Judge Bob Wilkins, ruled there is enough evidence to warrant increasing the charge.

Douglas Garland is scheduled to appear in court on July 31 when a trial date will be determined.

Agencies/Canadajournal