The trial for a central Alberta man charged with murder and arson in the deaths of his parents and sister will go ahead.
READ MORE: Alberta man charged with first-degree murder in deaths of parents, sister
Lawyers for Jason Klaus argued in August that his trial was taking too long.
However, their Jordan application was denied by the judge last week.
READ MORE: ‘Unreasonable delays’ put 2 more violent criminal cases in Calgary in jeopardy
A Supreme Court of Canada ruling last year set new rules for how long a case can take from start to finish. The case was R. vs. Jordan. Any applications made citing its time guidelines are now called “Jordan applications.”
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Under the new rules, an unreasonable delay would be presumed should proceedings exceed 18 months in provincial court — or 30 months in superior court from the date of charge to conclusion of a trial.
READ MORE: Trial date set for central Alberta man accused of killing family in fire
Klaus, who is 41, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder and arson in the deaths of his parents, Gordon and Sandra Klaus, and his sister Monica Klaus.
Police believe all three died in a house fire in Castor, Alta. on Dec. 8, 2013.
READ MORE: RCMP believe Alberta fatal house fire was intentionally set
READ MORE: 2 men to stand trial in deaths of family in central Alberta house fire
The case was adjourned and the trial is scheduled for Oct. 10 to Nov. 24 in Red Deer.
— With files from The Canadian Press
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