Dad accused of murdering sons appears in court (Edmonton, Canada)

Dad JASON CARDINAL is charged with 2 counts of first-degree murder for the killing of his 3- and 6-year-old sons just before Christmas.

http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Father+accused+murdering+sons+appears+court/4068143/story.html

Father accused of murdering sons appears in court

By Alexandra Zabjek, Edmonton Journal January 6, 2011

An Edmonton man accused of killing his two young sons days before Christmas made a brief appearance Wednesday in Provincial Court.

Jason Cardinal faces two charges of first-degree murder. His sons, aged six and three, were found dead Dec. 19 by police in a north Edmonton townhouse.

Cardinal, a 31-year-old man with a shaved head and heavily tattooed arms and neck, didn't say anything during his first court appearance in the case.

He has retained a lawyer, and his case is scheduled to be back in court on Feb. 8.

A previously scheduled court appearance for Cardinal did not go ahead in December because he was in hospital being treated for injuries that weren't disclosed.

The mother of the two boys and several family members were in court Wednesday, but declined to comment after the court appearance. Cardinal had three supporters in court, but they also declined to comment.

Alberta Social Services had contact with the family before the deaths, but though the children were not in the care of the province, their identities can't be released under the Child, Youth and Family Enhancement Act. The name of the accused was only made public several days after the killings, when the acting director of Child, Youth and Family Enhancement gave consent to publish Cardinal's name, saying publication of his name may "be necessary for the proper administration of justice."

Had consent not been given, his identity could not have been made public.


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