Calgary – One of three people charged in the murder of Ryan Lane says he has been attacked while in custody at the Calgary Remand Centre.
Tim Remple was arrested at the end of November, along with his wife Sheena Cuthill Remple and brother Will Remple.
All three are charged with first-degree murder in the death of 24-year-old Lane, who police believe was killed in a custody dispute involving the daughter he fathered with Sheena.
“I spoke to my client yesterday,” says criminal defence lawyer Allan Fay. “He advised me he had indeed been attacked by some inmates and received a beating at their hands.”
It’s one of three high-profile beatings alleged to have happened at the Calgary Remand Centre in the past few months.
24-year-old Russian student Denis Telyakov suffered brain injuries in August when he says he was attacked.
A month later, 28-year-old cancer fraudster Kristopher Cook said he was beaten while in custody in the provincial facility.
Tim Rempel’s lawyer says something needs to be done to improve safety for inmates.
“The authorities that run the remand centre have a duty to ensure the safety of the people they house there,” says Fay. “If they can’t do that, then my client should not be kept there.”
The Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security Communications won’t comment on specific cases, but says inmates are always able to report incidents to police.
“Any time there is an assault in one of our centers it’s investigated internally, and a more formal board of injury can be held if it’s of a very serious nature,” says Alberta Justice Spokeswoman Michelle Davio. “As well, inmates are able to call police if they like, and staff can also call police to come investigate.”
“Any time there is an incident in one of our facilities it’s reviewed to see how things could be improved,” Davio adds.
Officers were called to the Calgary Remand Centre 376 times in 2012, but not every call results in a police report.
-With files from Global News reporter Nancy Hixt
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