Crown appeals sentences for killers Klaus and Frank

The Crown is appealing the sentences of convicted killers Jason Klaus and Joshua Frank, who last month were ordered to serve the minimum 25 years — before being eligible for parole — on three counts of first-degree murder.

In its appeal filed Monday in the Court of Appeal of Alberta, the Crown said the sentence imposed “is demonstrably unfit.”

In sentencing submissions, the Crown sought the maximum parole ineligibility of 75 years for both men.

“The concurrent periods of parole ineligibility imposed are not proportionate to the gravity of the offence or the moral blameworthiness of the offender,” the appeal reads.

The appeal also argues that the sentencing judge failed to properly address the principles of deterrence and denunciation as sentencing factors, and to properly consider aggravating and mitigating factors.

Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Eric Macklin ordered Klaus and Frank on Feb. 14 to serve life with no chance of parole for 25 years for the December 2013 gun-for-hire slayings of Klaus’s parents and adult sister near Castor.

Macklin could have made the periods of parole ineligibility consecutive, as Crown prosecutor Doug Taylor had sought, but agreed with the defence lawyers that was unnecessary.

Both Klaus and Frank are appealing their convictions.