A Calgary man accused of murdering his 17-year-old stepdaughter last week appeared briefly in court by closed-circuit television on Monday morning.
Bradley Rietze, 45, who was arrested last Thursday in connection with the death of Brittney McInnes, had his first-degree murder case adjourned until Friday to give him time to obtain a lawyer.
The victim’s biological father, Terry McInnes, left court swiftly with family members and friends after Rietze’s appearance before provincial court Judge Bruce Millar.
McInnes declined to make any comments on the case as he departed, other than to say, "justice will be served."
When asked if he was waiting for trial, he said, "That’s all I’m waiting for."
Duty counsel Bob Haslam, who represented Rietze, said he spoke briefly to the accused by phone from the Calgary Remand Centre before he appeared.
"Obviously, he’s facing some serious charges, the most serious in the Criminal Code," Haslam said outside court. "So, he wants to take his time and do this right, get proper counsel and get properly instructed before anything else happens.
"I talked to him briefly about what was happening in the next week or so. We didn’t get into the charges or anything else.
"Next step, I guess it will go over one more time to get disclosure, then they would take a lot at having a show cause hearing to see if he’s eligible to be released on bail."
Susan Pepper, the assigned Crown prosecutor, said outside court she has not yet received any disclosure from city police related to their investigation as it is still very early in the proceedings.
Rietze was arrested last Thursday and charged with the first-degree murder of the girl, a Grade 12 student at Dr. E.P. Scarlett High School.
A first-degree murder charge implies premeditation or a killing in the commission of another offence, such as sexual assault or forcible confinement.
Police have not released the cause of death and there is no indication of any motive for the teen’s death.
Police were called twice to the home in the 800 block of Canaveral Crescent S.W. Monday, Jan. 18.
The first time was between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., because McInnes was reported missing by her mother.
Rick Tuza, acting Satff Sgt. of the homicide unit, said police searched the home, but did not find the teenager.
The girl’s body was later found by a family member in her home.
Rietze had been taken to hospital with undisclosed injuries at 5 a.m. that day. He was arrested three days later after being released from hospital.
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