By CHAT News Today/With Files from Global News

Derek Saretzky appeals triple murder conviction and sentence

Sep 7, 2017 | 4:41 PM

CALGARY, AB — The man convicted of the murder of a toddler, her father and 69-year-old woman and sentenced to life in prison last month is appealing his conviction and sentence.

A lawyer for Derek Saretzky filed an appeal Thursday afternoon, according to Global News.

Saretzky, 24, was convicted of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of two-year-old Hailey Dunbar-Blanchette, her father Terry and Hanne Meketech in September 2015 in the Crowsnest Pass. Saretzky was also convicted of causing an indignity to Hailey’s body.

A first-degree murder conviction results in an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years. The sentences were made consecutive in August, meaning Saretzky would be 97 years old before he is eligible for parole.

According to Global News, Balfour Der, Saretzky’s lawyer, is citing the admissibility of some evidence in court, including the confession videos played in the courtroom. Dar also calls the sentence “cruel and unusual punishment,” due to the consecutive sentences.

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During the trial, The court heard videotaped confessions from Saretzky who told police he killed Meketech — a friend of his grandparents — on the spur of the moment and because he didn’t think anybody cared about her.

Five days later, Blanchette was beaten before his throat was cut in the home where he lived with Hailey.

The little girl was taken from her crib to a campsite, which was partially owned by his family, where she was strangled, dismembered and cannibalized. Her body was burned in a firepit.

There is no date yet for the appeal.