Double-murder suspect tries to commit suicide
Double-murder suspect Edward Downey failed to make a court appearance Friday because he apparently tried to hang himself in the remand centre.
Defence counsel Gavin Wolch told court Downey could not attend for a pre-trial because of a health issue. Wolch declined to expand on what the issue was when Justice Beth Hughes said she’d been informed it was a “serious medical emergency.”
He said he was just told shortly before court his client was unable to attend and could not say if the issue is expected to be resolved quickly.
The case was in court for the purpose of scheduling pre-trial motions.
Hughes ordered that Crown and defence lawyers return to court next Wednesday for that purpose and issued a judge’s order that Downey be brought to court then.
EMS spokesman Stuart Brideaux said medical staff responded around 6 a.m. Friday at the request of Calgary Remand Centre correctional and medical staff on site, for reports they found an adult male inmate in medical distress.
“On arrival we assumed care from their medical staff and transported an adult male to Foothills hospital in serious and potentially life-threatening condition as a result of the situation he was found in,” said Brideaux.
He could not comment on the type of injuries the prisoner sustained.
Downey is said to have tried to hang himself, a source told Postmedia.
Downey, 48, faces two charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of a Calgary mom and her young daughter. He’s charged in the July 2016 slayings of Sara Baillie and her five-year-old daughter, Taliyah Marsman.