In the story ‘Preliminary dates close to being set’ published in the Lakes District News' Dec. 30, 2015 edition, the decision to set dates for a preliminary inquiry in the case of Rueben Buhler had been postponed several times.
Buhler - the man arrested in relation to a triple homicide in Burns Lake – had court appearances in Burns Lake on Sept. 9, Oct. 14, Dec. 10 and Jan. 13. However, it was only during a court appearance in Burns Lake on Jan. 18 that dates for a focus hearing and preliminary inquiry were set.
According to crown spokesperson Neil MacKenzie, a number of factors had contributed to the time needed to confirm the preliminary inquiry dates, including a change in defence counsel and an ongoing disclosure by the Crown of the evidence gathered by investigators in the case.
The date for the focus hearing was set for Feb. 24, 2016, and the dates for the preliminary inquiry were set for May 24, 25, 26 and 27, 2016.
On April 27, 2015, the Burns Lake RCMP attended a residence in the 200 block of Fifth Avenue in Burns Lake after receiving a report of potential foul play. Neighbours said they heard gun shots ring out earlier that morning. When officers entered the residence, they found three people - one woman and two men - dead inside.
Buhler has been charged with three counts of second degree murder and remains in custody.