CRANBROOK – The man charged in the kidnapping of three-year-old Kienan Hebert last September appeared in B.C. court for all of 30 seconds Monday.
Randall Hopley, 46, was not physically in the Cranbrook courthouse for the brief appearance. Instead, he appeared via video link to the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre, where he is detained until the case goes to trial.
Hopley looked healthier than he has in past appearances, with long hair, and was wearing a prison issue orange jumpsuit.
His lawyer, William Thorne, asked the judge to delay the matter for another two weeks to allow further discussion between defence and prosecution counsel.
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Judge Grant Sheard agreed, expressing his hope that Hopley would enter a plea at his next appearance on March 5, and elect either a trial by judge, or judge and jury.
Hopley didn’t speak during the proceedings, except to say, “OK,” when the judge informed him that he’d be back before the court in two weeks.
On Sept. 7, 2011, Kienan was kidnapped from his family’s home in Sparwood, B.C.
Police issued an Amber Alert, saying that the little boy disappeared from his bed overnight wearing only Scooby Doo boxer shorts.
Scores of volunteers joined emergency personnel on a massive manhunt, but Kienan was mysteriously returned to the family home physically unharmed four days later after his parents gave a public, emotional plea.
On Sept. 13, Hopley was found by police sniffer dogs at a gravel pit in Crowsnest Lake, Alta., and arrested.
In December, Hopley opted out of a bail hearing, and instead will stay in custody until his case goes to trial.
A psychiatric assessment of Hopley has been performed but it is protected by a publication ban.
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