In the story ‘Triple homicide case adjourned one more time’ published in the Lakes District News' Dec. 16, 2015 edition, the date for a preliminary inquiry in the case of Rueben Buhler - the man arrested in relation to a triple homicide in Burns Lake – was expected to be determined on Dec. 21, 2015.
However, the decision to set a date for the preliminary inquiry was postponed one more time. This was the fourth time that this decision was postponed - Rueben Buhler had other three fixed dates on Sept. 9, Oct. 14 and Dec. 10, 2015.
Buhler’s next court appearance will be at the Burns Lake Provincial Court on Jan. 13, 2016, where depending on a number of factors, a date for a preliminary hearing can finally be set.
According to crown spokesperson Neil MacKenzie, crown counsel anticipates that dates for the preliminary inquiry will be set by the court on the next appearance.
“The court has now been provided with dates that counsel are available, however the court must still confirm the dates are suitable,” explained MacKenzie. “If so, then the dates should be confirmed at the next appearance.”
Fixing the date of the preliminary inquiry is under the scheduling authority of the court, which takes into account a number of factors, including the amount of court time that may be necessary to hear a matter, as well as the availability of counsel on any potential court dates that are under consideration.
According to MacKenzie, a number of factors have contributed to the time that has been needed to confirm a preliminary inquiry date, including a change in defence counsel and ongoing disclosure by the Crown of the evidence gathered by investigators in the case.
Back in September, Buhler’s new lawyer Jordan Allingham said a preliminary inquiry date would likely be set for March 2016.
On April 27, 2015, at 8:25 a.m., 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.