Deceased/Not Found Canada - Alvin, 66, & Kathy Liknes, 53, Nathan O'Brien, 5, Calgary, 30 Jun 2014 - #21

[kittymeow]

He bludgeoned them. Blood was everywhere inside. They were likely incapacitated. Let's not forget the marks of blood on the cement outside the house. Those were clearly drag marks. Also the handcuffs may have come into play. <modsnip>

 

[dogmatica]

Maybe restraints or chloroform or injection?

They mentioned handcuffs - but all the blood at the house...I guess we will find out. Sounds like DG was very, very well prepared. I am desperately hoping for 3 life sentences, served consecutively.

 

[dogmatica]

He bludgeoned them. Blood was everywhere inside. They were likely incapacitated. Let's not forget the marks of blood on the cement outside the house. Those were clearly drag marks. Also the handcuffs may have come into play. <modsnip>

All I can hope from that is - they were dead or unconscious from that point on. This adult diapers thing though...did she not answer the question?

 

[Coldpizza]

This is one of the most horrific crimes I have followed especially after what we've heard thus far. I just can't imagine the sheer horror and pain that the families have endured. To all the powers that be I hope Nathan, Kathy and Alvin weren't alive on that farm. :tears:

Just gut wrenching

 

[musicaljoke]

Perhaps the diapers question will lead to the idea that they were alive when they were removed from the house. Perhaps a medical person can verify, but my understanding from owing a veterinary hospital, is that at the time of death, the bladder and bowels often clear. If there was no indication that this happend in the home, then there may be reason to think they were alive when taken away. A great grief lingers with me.

 

[ABro]

You know, I remember when Douglas Garland was first disclosed to us and we started finding out about him. There was a discussion regarding how brilliant this guy was. I also remember saying that he wasn't so smart that he didn't get caught.

Now I know he's not that smart. He's far from brilliant. He's nothing but a cold hearted sick murderer.

Just goes to show how hatred festers and turns to something like this. I can't imagine a hate so strong or deep or real that would culminate in the torture and murder of 3 people over something so petty.

Unbelievable the carnage created by this monster.

There were also many long discussions from members convinced he didn't do it and that the police and prosecutors didn't have enough evidence, that the "puzzle pieces weren't fitting," etc . In fact, at one point, that was the dominant theme here, albeit after the majority of members had left and opted to wait for the trial to see the actual evidence.

 

[ABro]

So glad this trial is finally underway. I attended some of the preliminary hearing and I'm not sure if I can still post anything about it online (publication ban) <modsnip>

Also, IMO, at the end of it all I predict the jury will come to a verdict very quickly. Won't be much to debate no matter what tactic the defense goes for. IMO the only thing they could go for is pleading insanity or saying he was framed lol but even now we can see that's not likely since Garland had motive. I'm really really curious to see what the defense will do here. They are up against a plethora of definitive circumstantial, DNA, and photo/video evidence. <modsnip>

One thing I find interesting is that Garland is wearing prison clothes.

There's no way IMO his lawyers advised him to do that.

Take from that what you will.

 

[kittymeow]

There were also many long discussions from members convinced he didn't do it and that the police and prosecutors didn't have enough evidence, that the "puzzle pieces weren't fitting," etc . In fact, at one point, that was the dominant theme here, albeit after the majority of members had left and opted to wait for the trial to see the actual evidence.

Being in the dark about it all made things super vague. Crazy how even this small reveal of the evidence (so far) changes the picture. The evidence and information that was withheld is astounding.

 

[kittymeow]

One thing I find interesting is that Garland is wearing prison clothes.

There's no way his lawyers advised him to do that.

Take from that what you will.

He did that at the preliminary hearing too. I didn't think anything of it, since he was in custody at the time. Maybe this is something different in Canada, that the defendant wears the prison clothing? Never thought about it before. If he did have the option to wear different clothing, it would be interesting that he declined it. But would make sense too.

 

[ABro]

Being in the dark about it all made things super vague. Crazy how even this small reveal of the evidence (so far) changes the picture. The evidence and information that was withheld is astounding.

Withheld isn't really the right word here. That's the way it's supposed to be -- right up until the trial. If that kind of evidence (as we're told we'll hear) leaked out, the defence lawyers would have been having conniption fits.

 

[ABro]

He did that at the preliminary hearing too. I didn't think anything of it, since he was in custody at the time. Maybe this is something different in Canada, that the defendant wears the prison clothing? Never thought about it before. If he did have the option to wear different clothing, it would be interesting that he declined it. But would make sense too.

The prelim is different in that there's no jury.

There's a reason the accused doesn't usually show up to trial in a jumpsuit.

 

[Sillybilly]

Folks, just jumping in at random here.

For those who may have attended the prelim, please do not make reference to anything other than the fact that you attended. PERIOD.

Nothing heard at the prelim can be discussed or even hinted at in this thread until such time as it is introduced into evidence at the trial. Nobody wants a mistrial, and you can bet your boots the defence will have eyes out for anything that could violate the PB.

ETA: Sorry, it's okay to discuss his clothing, demeanour, appearance ... just not any testimony.

:tyou:

 

[skibaboo]

Lunch break is over.

Meghan Grant &#8207;@CBCMeg 3m3 minutes ago
So, prosecutor now going over questions to show that despite a close relationship w/ Allen, Alvin & Kathy were never heard from again

Meghan Grant &#8207;@CBCMeg 4m4 minutes ago
Because bodies were never found, #Garland prosecution has to show only reasonable explication for disappearance is that trio was murdered

Meghan Grant &#8207;@CBCMeg 35s35 seconds ago
Allen Liknes had 'very good friendship' w/ his dad, Alvin who was moving to Edmonton area where Allen also lived.

Meghan Grant &#8207;@CBCMeg 4m4 minutes ago
Cross exam of Jennifer O'Brien is done. Allen Liknes (Alvin's son, Garland's brother-in-law) is next witness. Jennifer stays in courtroom

Meghan Grant &#8207;@CBCMeg 12m12 minutes ago
Jennifer confirms to #Garland lawyer she didn't hear or see anything unusual as she left around 11pm the night of the impromptu sleepover

Meghan Grant &#8207;@CBCMeg 14s15 seconds ago
Jennifer confirms she never saw #Garland in her parents home

Meghan Grant &#8207;@CBCMeg 6s7 seconds ago
Crown's questions for Jennifer O'Brien done. #Garland defence lawyer Jim Lutz now cross examining her

Meghan Grant &#8207;@CBCMeg 3m3 minutes ago
Jennifer O'Brien is crying but steady as she looks at photos of her son's items (superman cape) left behind in the home

Meghan Grant &#8207;@CBCMeg 4m4 minutes ago
Jennifer wipes away tears as she goes through photos of bloodied home where she looked for her son. Testimony continues at #Garland trial

Meghan Grant &#8207;@CBCMeg 6m6 minutes ago
#Garland jury hears Jennifer say beds & rooms didn't look the night before the way they looked when she arrived in the am-- Bedding missing

Meghan Grant &#8207;@CBCMeg 2m2 minutes ago
Jennifer describing at #Garland trial where she looked for her son & parents on the morning on June 30, 2014. Blood everywhere, she said

Meghan Grant &#8207;@CBCMeg 6m6 minutes ago
Jennifer O'Brien is going through a booklet of photos of her parents' home. (BTW Alvin was her stepdad but she calls him 'dad')

Meghan Grant &#8207;@CBCMeg 3m3 minutes ago
Douglas #Garland 3x 1st degree murder trial back up and running with Nathan O'Brien's mother, Jennifer to continue her testimony

https://twitter.com/CBCMeg?lang=en&lang=en

 

[dogmatica]

"Taking notes". Michael Rafferty did the same thing during his trial, didn't he?

 

[kittymeow]

I wonder if the photos Jennifer is looking at will be released publicly

 

[LoisLane]

@billgraveland
Prior to leaving with her son Max at 11 pm - O'Brien said she didn't notice anything unusual or see anyone outside the house.

 

[LoisLane]

@valfortney
"And he took the bodies," defence says this is first time O'Brien has said this #Garland

@kmartincourts
Jennifer O'Brien never mentioned before today that she told her husband "he took the bodies" when saying her family was murdered.

Oh boy.

 

[dogmatica]

@valfortney
"And he took the bodies," defence says this is first time O'Brien has said this #Garland

@kmartincourts
Jennifer O'Brien never mentioned before today that she told her husband "he took the bodies" when saying her family was murdered.

Oh boy.

Means nothing. I reckon the defence doesn't have a whole lot.

 

[LoisLane]

Allen Liknes is now being called to the stand.

 

[Slebby]

Can some one quickly refresh me by explaining why it takes so long in Canada for cases to go to trial? The Bosma case took a long time too before it was heard in court. I lived in Alberta when I was younger but can not remember how the system works ......

In some cases I believe it has to do with a very real shortage of judges.


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