Convicted killer in Lukas Strasser-Hird swarming death denied bail pending appeal

One of the men convicted in the brutal swarming death of Lukas Strasser-Hird will remain behind bars, at least for now.

In June, a Calgary jury found Assmar Shlah guilty of second-degree murder in the swarming death of 18-year-old Strasser-Hird, who was kicked, beaten and stabbed to death outside of Vinyl nightclub in November 2013.

Last Thursday, Shlah applied for judicial interim release pending an appeal of his conviction. In a written decision obtained by Global News Thursday, Justice Brian O’Ferrall denied that request for bail.

Watch below: Global’s coverage of the Lukas Strasser-Hird case

1:56 Convicted killer in Lukas Strasser-Hird swarming death seeks bail pending appeal

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“The applicant has not yet met the burden of establishing that his appeal is not frivolous or that his detention is not necessary in the public interest,” O’Ferrall wrote.

O’Ferrall noted Shlah can apply to the Chief Justice to have the decision reviewed, or could apply for bail before another Appeal Court justice.

READ MORE: Convicted killer in Lukas Strasser-Hird swarming death seeks bail pending appeal

The victim’s father said he’s relieved.

“We’re very happy with this decision, we know it’s the right one,” Dale Hird said.

“He was found guilty, and we don’t understand how there even could be bail. It’s nice to have the judge recognize the severity of this case,” he said.

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“We hope Shlah remains behind bars and will get the maximum sentence possible.”

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READ MORE: Lukas Strasser-Hird family clings to memories of murdered teen

Shlah faces an automatic life sentence for the swarming death of Strasser-Hird. What has yet to be determined is his parole ineligibility.

The case is back before the court to set a date for sentencing Aug. 5.

READ MORE: Jury reaches verdicts in swarming death of Calgary’s Lukas Strasser-Hird