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Douglas Garland appeals triple murder conviction

Mar 17, 2017 | 5:36 PM

EDMONTON — Convicted murderer Douglas Garland has filed an appeal of his first-degree murder convictions and sentence.

According to Global News, the defence filed the appeal moments before the Alberta Court of Appeal closed on Friday.

Garland was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 75 years after a jury convicted him of three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Nathan O’Brien and his grandparents Alvin and Kathy Liknes in 2014.

The jury determined Garland kidnapped O’Brien and his grandparents, killed them on his property, dismembered them and burned their bodies.

The defence cited 10 grounds for appeal, many of which say the judged erred in law by “engaging in speculation in making findings of facts on sentencing.”

The appeal also states the judge’s comments to jury about coping with disturbing evidence reflected bias and undermined the presumption of innocence.

The defence also claims the consecutive period of parole ineligibility is “excessive and harsh” in the circumstances, and says the victim impact statements “exceed the scope” provided by the Criminal Code.

Garland is currently serving his sentence at the federal maximum security prison in Edmonton. He was rushed to hospital earlier this month after being found unresponsive in his cell. Garland was also attacked in the Calgary Remand Centre the day after his sentencing in February.

-With Files from Nancy Hixt, Global News