EDMONTON – The man accused of killing a two-year-old in an alleged impaired driving collision made his first court appearance Tuesday.
62-year-old Richard Suter appeared in a courtroom via Closed Circuit Television.
He’s been charged with one count each of impaired operation causing death and refusing demand causing death (refusing to provide a breath sample). He’s also been charged with two counts of impaired operation causing bodily harm.
Suter’s bail was adjourned until Thursday, after the defence requested an extra two days to examine witness statements.
The crown is opposed to bail.
Suter appeared in an orange jumpsuit, with a visible mark above his left eye. The only time he spoke was to clarify his next court appearance.
Suter is accused of driving a vehicle while impaired into a patio at Ric’s Grill in Terwillegar near 142 Street and 23 Avenue on Sunday evening, hitting a family of four sitting at a table, including two-year-old Geo who was pinned to a wall.
The toddler died in hospital.
Geo’s parents, along with family members, appeared in the courtroom Tuesday. Geo’s mother sobbed throughout the court appearance, clutching photos of her son.
During the proceeding, she asked an articling student working with the defence “do you make a lot of money defending baby killers?” Repeatedly sobbing “that was my son”
Geo’s parents did not speak to media Tuesday, but his mother has started a Facebook group called “Justice For Geo,” in which she expresses her feelings.
In a post, Sage Morin writes, “Please help me in my demand for JUSTICE. We must unite and let our voices be heard.”
In her post, she also explains what she says happened on Sunday night.
“We had only been sitting for about 15 minutes. Geo impressed the waitress with his perfect manners. We ordered drinks and were simply waiting for them to arrive. What came first was every parents worse nightmare. A blue SUV which had originally appeared to be slowly parking suddenly floored his acceleration driving through my entire family, pinning my 2 year old son against a concrete wall.”
Geo’s father and another one-year-old child suffered minor injuries.
The mother wasn’t physically injured.