The father of three Merritt, B.C. children found dead in early April has now been charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
Crown lawyers announced Wednesday that Allan Schoenborn will be tried for the murders of 10-year-old Kaitlynne, eight-year-old Max, and five-year-old Cordon, who were found dead in their family's mobile home.
Crown prosecutor Lorne Fisher asked media present at the announcement in Kamloops to let Schoenborn have a fair trial.
"There is no place for conjecture, speculation, or rumour in the trial process," he said. "We ask for your patience and that you allow the circumstances of the case to unfold in a course of law."
Schoenborn was the subject of a ten-day manhunt until he was captured by Merritt tracker Kim Robinson a week ago.
Schoenborn was in hospital in Kamloops last week after investigators decided he needed medical attention, but officers wouldn't disclose the nature of his illness.
First-degree murder charges imply that the prosecution believes that Schoenborn deliberately planned and executed the murders.
The penalty for being found guilty of first-degree murder is life in prison, with an automatic 25 years without parole.
It's not clear why prosecutors have waited this long to lay charges, or clear whether Schoenborn has been interrogated by police.
Fisher said prosecutors and police were working together on the file.
"The police investigation remains ongoing and we expect to receive more evidence in the days and weeks to follow," he said.
Schoenborn will appear in court on May 2.
A public memorial service for the children will be held this weekend in the Interior B.C. ranching community, located about 270 kilometres northeast of Vancouver.
