A packed courtroom in Red Deer saw some of the first evidence be introduced in 41-year-old Jason Klaus‘ first-degree murder trial on Monday.
A little over three years ago, Klaus was charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of his parents – Gordon and Sandra – and of his sister, Monica.
Klaus’ friend, Joshua Frank, was also charged in connection with their deaths. Frank has also been charged with killing the family’s dog. The charges were laid months after a December 2013 house fire in Castor, Alta., where some of Klaus’ father’s and sister’s remains were later discovered. His mother’s remains were never found but police have said they believe she was inside her family’s farmhouse at the time of the fire.
READ MORE: RCMP believe Alberta fatal house fire was intentionally set
On Monday, the court watched video of Klaus speaking with an RCMP investigator just two days after the fire.
“My biggest fear is that I would go through life without him,” Klaus is heard telling an RCMP investigator in the video, referring to his late father. “We were a tight family … I’m so sad. I’m so angry too.”
Get breaking National news
Klaus appeared to be crying in the video and telling the investigator he couldn’t understand what happened and why.
At one point in the interview, Klaus expresses interest in what evidence was recovered at the scene of the fire.
“Will you guys be able to tell if guns are involved?” Klaus is heard saying as he asked if the fire would have destroyed the evidence if that was the case.
Both Klaus and Frank has chosen to have their cases heard by a judge alone and not a jury.
The judge in Klaus’ case still has to decide if the video played on Monday will be admissible in the trial. More video evidence is expected to be presented this week, including at least one pertaining to a “Mr. Big” sting used in the investigation into what happened. The judge will also have to rule on whether that evidence is admissible.
READ MORE: Judge grants delay in 1st-degree murder trial for central Alberta men accused of killing family
The Crown has yet to present a theory on what they believe led up to the deaths of the Klaus’.
The Klaus’ family home burned to the ground on Dec. 8, 2013. The house had a furnace in the basement with six tonnes of coal in it.
The Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the remains of 61-year-old Gordon Klaus and 40-year-old Monica Klaus were found in the burnt out home. Sixty-two year-old Sandra Klaus’ remains have never been found.
– With files from Fletcher Kent
Comments