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Anahim Lake double homicide focus hearing adjourned

Anahim Lake double homicide focus hearing adjourned

A focus hearing regarding the four people accused in the double homicide at Anahim Lake on Boxing Day got underway in Williams Lake provincial court Wednesday but was adjourned with the expectation it will resume in July.

Crown Counsel asked if the hearing could be adjourned to the fall because it is still waiting for some forensic, toxicology, DNA and pathology reports, but defence argued the focus hearing should resume as soon as possible.

Crown told the court it anticipates calling 13 witnesses for a preliminary inquiry that is expected to take place in Williams Lake during a three-week period in March or April, 2016.

Judge Victor Galbraith set June 17 as the date for all parties involved to meet and fix a date for continuing the focus hearing.

Dates for the preliminary hearing have yet to be determined.

Everett O’Reilly, 27, charged with first degree murder, and Christian Craciun, 28, Andrew Jongbloets, 25, and Serena Rhem, all charged with second degree murder, remain in custody.

The families of victims Matthew Hennigar and Kalvin Andy travelled from Anahim Lake and Bella Coola to be in the court room Tuesday.