Murder suspect and his father both spending Christmas in jail

Double attempted murder suspect Keith Harkes will be spending Christmas behind bars, just like his son.

Defence counsel Andrea Urquhart appeared in provincial court on Thursday to indicate she has been hired to represent Harkes.

Urquhart told provincial court Judge Bruce Fraser she is awaiting disclosure from the Crown and will need to review that before proceeding with a bail hearing for her client.

She asked that Harkes’ case return to court Dec. 21, at which time she expects to schedule a bail hearing.

Outside court, she acknowledged that she won’t be able to seek Harkes’ freedom pending trial until the new year.

Harkes was arrested after an incident Dec. 4, and charged with attempted murder of his estranged wife, Paula Harkes, and another man, Kerry McNeil.

Police said just after 6 p.m. a car containing two people arrived at a home in the 1200 block of Ranch View Road N.W.

As the man and woman pulled into the driveway, a second car driven by a lone male arrived and parked directly behind the first car, blocking it in, police said.

A male emerged from the car with a shotgun and approached the occupants of the first car, police said. The man allegedly pointed the firearm at the couple and pulled the trigger, but a malfunction reportedly prevented the gun from firing.

Retreating to their car, the couple backed out of the driveway and escaped down the street while driving in reverse.

Harkes also faces two threats charges and seven weapons-related offences.

One of those is for violating the conditions of a weapons prohibition in connection with a 2009 conviction for assault with a weapon.

Harkes, 64, was handed a conditional sentence and given a 10-year firearms ban on Oct. 30, 2009.

His son was convicted of seconddegree murder in the 2013 stabbing death of U of C student Brett Wiese.

The Alberta Court of Appeal ordered a new trial, citing problems with the instructions jurors were given.

His new trial is scheduled for January 2019.