CALGARY – The way Calgary police handled the arrest of triple-murder suspect Douglas Garland is sparking some controversy.
Garland is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Kathryn and Alvin Liknes, and one count of second-degree murder in the death of Nathan O’Brien.
However, the head of the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association is concerned with aspects of his so-called ‘perp walk,’ and has filed an official complaint.
Local media captured video of the 54-year-old being escorted to the Court Services Section on Monday, July 14th. Lawyer Alan Pearse questions why police don’t offer the same media access when dealing with officers charged with crimes.
“I think the biggest problem that they have here, is that they treat general members of the public differently from how they treat the police,” Pearse told Global News.
“What you have if a police officer is picked up, is that it’s basically a big secret,” he argues. “They won’t release his name, the press has to go after and find him.”
The Calgary Police Service isn’t commenting on the complaint.
Police officers regularly walk suspects facing charges into CSS to have their charges read by a Justice of the Peace. The building has a public parking lot in which suspects are transferred from police vehicles into the building.
Those accused of serious crimes are regularly recorded in other jurisdictions including RCMP detachments and courthouses across southern Alberta.
Garland made his first court appearance in connection with the deaths on Wednesday.
The case was put over until Aug 14th, to allow time for evidence to be disclosed to the defence.
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