Edward Downey's lawyer gets police evidence collected in murder investigation
Edward Downey's lawyer now knows what evidence police and prosecutors have gathered against the 46-year-old who is accused of killing Sara Baillie and her five-year-old daughter, Taliyah Marsman, in July.
Defence lawyer Gavin Wolch appeared on behalf of Downey in court Wednesday, although the case was put over two weeks as he reviews the package of disclosure handed over by the Crown on Tuesday.
Crown prosecutor Ryan Jenkins said further disclosure would only be made if there was evidence collected as part of the ongoing investigation.
Downey was charged after Marsman's body was found — ending an almost week-long Amber Alert — on a rural property east of Chestermere last month.
Her mother was found in their Panorama Hills basement suite earlier that week.
Criminal past
Downey has a lengthy criminal history that began more than 25 years ago and involves mostly pimping, drug trafficking and weapons offences.
He has been connected to North Preston's Finest, an organized crime group involved mostly in pimping and human trafficking.
Downey's bids for freedom from past stints behind bars were twice denied by the Parole Board of Canada, which cited his likelihood to commit "a violent offence" — particularly against a woman — if released.
Wolch and his father, Hersh Wolch, will act as co-counsel and senior prosecutor Carla MacPhail is the assigned Crown.
The case is back in court on Sept. 7, though Downey's attendance will once again be excused.
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