Downey seeks to have double-murder convictions overturned, new trial for deaths of Calgary mother, daughter

A man convicted of the double-murder of a five-year-old girl and her mother wants his convictions overturned and a new trial ordered

In December 2018, a jury found Edward Downey guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Sara Baillie and her five-year-old daughter Taliyah Marsman.

Baillie, 34, was found dead inside her northwest Calgary basement suite on July 11, 2016. At that time, Taliyah was missing and police issued an Alberta-wide Amber Alert.

The little girl’s body was found three days later in some bushes outside the city limits.

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Alberta’s top court heard Downey’s appeal Thursday morning.

Downey’s defence cited several grounds, including that the trial judge allowed evidence that was prejudicial and erred in their instructions to the jury.

Sara Baillie’s mother and Taliyah’s grandmother Janet Fredette attended the virtual hearing from her home in P.E.I.

She told Global News Thursday that she visits their gravesite often and she just wants the court process to be finished.

“This appeal has been on my mind ever since I heard about it,” Fredette said. “There is no way he deserves another trial, he was found guilty without a reasonable doubt.”

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Fredette has been left devastated by this horrific crime and said she can only hope the appeal will be denied.

“My thoughts go to Sara and Taliyah every day and the things he did to her,” Fredette said. “I will never be whole again.”

Downey is sentenced to life in prison and, given the facts of the case, was given consecutive parole ineligibilities.

That means Downey has to serve at least 50 years in prison before he can apply for parole.

The panel reserved its decision.

Downey is also appealing his sentence, that will be heard at a later date

WATCH: Previous coverage of Edward Downey’s trial on Globalnews.ca

1:09 Edward Downey sentenced to life in prison, no parole for 50 years for killing Calgary mother and daughter

• Edward Downey sentenced to life in prison, no parole for 50 years for killing Calgary mother and daughter
• Edward Downey found guilty of first-degree murder in deaths of Taliyah Marsman and Sara Baillie
• Family of Sara Baillie and Taliyah Marsman issue tearful statement after verdict
• Accused double-murderer Edward Downey denies killing Calgary mother and daughter
• Jurors hear closing arguments in trial of Edward Downey
• Officer recounts discovery of missing Calgary girl at Edward Downey murder trial
• ‘It was a body’: Graphic evidence from first responder given in 4th day of Calgary double murder trial

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