Crown granted permission to directly indict pair in connection with alleged quadruple murder

The Calgary Crown’s office has been given ministerial approval to file direct indictments against two people charged in connection with a quadruple murder.

Prosecutor Brian Holtby told provincial court Judge Ken McLeod on Tuesday all that needs to be done is to file the indictments in Court of Queen’s Bench to have the case moved directly to trial.

But Holtby said despite the move to expedite the hearing, there is still disclosure to be made on the case.

Defence lawyer Susan Karpa, who represents Yu Chieh Liao, who goes by Diana Liao, complained about the volume of disclosure and asked if it was now completed.

“This is an investigation that expands across Canada, so disclosure is not yet completed,” Holtby said.

Liao is charged along with Tewodros Mutugeta Kebede with first-degree murder following the death last summer of Hanock Afowerk, 26.

Both also face three charges each of being accessories after the fact to murder in connection with the deaths of three others.

Glynnis Fox, 36, Cody Pfeiffer, 25, and Tiffany Ear, 39, were found dead in a burning car in Sage Hill on July 10 and Afowerk’s body was discovered two days later near Highway 22 and Highway 8.

The two accused are scheduled to return to provincial court April 24, but that is only if the direct indictments aren’t filed by then.

Holtby said if they are, he will stay the charges before provincial court by letter and proceed with the indictments in Court of Queen’s Bench.

Accused persons are usually entitled to a preliminary inquiry when their trials are to be held in the higher court, but the Crown does have the option of filing a direct indictment.

That can only be done with the approval of the justice minister.

Thisisan investigation that expands across Canada, so disclosure is not yet completed.