Accused murderer opts for judge, jury trial

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — A Saskatchewan man accused of firstdegree murder in the deaths of his parents and son has waived his right to a preliminary hearing and has opted to be tried by a judge and jury.

Nathaniel Kenneth Carrier is also charged in the attempted murder of his young daughter.

His case was discussed Monday in Prince Albert provincial court

The case is to be spoken to again on Feb. 12 in Court of Queen’s

Bench, although it’s unclear if a trial date will be set at that time.

Police officers found Denis Carrier, his wife Sandra Henry — both 56 — and seven-year-old Bentlee dead on the grandparents’ property on March 29.

The boy’s five-year-old sister, Kendrah, was in critical condition and transferred to a hospital in Edmonton.

Officers had been called to check the home after friends and relatives had not heard from the family.

Nathaniel Carrier also lived there, but officers could not find him. A family vehicle that was missing was found in La Ronge, Sask. Investigators located the suspect in Prince Albert.

Kendrah spent several weeks undergoing surgeries before returning home to her mother in Prince Albert.