British Columbia

Allan Schoenborn 'high-risk accused' appearance set for October

A brief court appearance Thursday marked the start of a bid to have a B.C. man who found not criminally responsible for killing his three children in 2008 declared a high-risk accused.

BC Review board granted escorted day passes to man who killed his three children in 2008

The B.C. Crown has applied to have Allan Dwayne Schoenborn declared a 'high-risk accused'. He was found not criminally responsible for killing his three children in 2008. (RCMP)

A brief court appearance Thursday marked the start of a 'high-risk accused' application for Allan Schoenborn, who was found not criminally responsible for killing his three children in 2008.

Crown and defence lawyers agreed to a four-week adjournment so Schoenborn's lawyers can be brought up to speed on the case.

He is being represented by the same lawyers who successfully argued for a not-criminally responsible verdict at his trial in 2009. 

The provincial crown has made the application under the terms of Bill C-14, the Not Criminally Responsible Reform Act, which created the high-risk designation.

Under the terms of the legislation, an accused would have to wait up to three years between hearings before the board, which grants forms of release to people with not criminally responsible verdicts.

Last May, the B.C. Review Board granted Schoenborn escorted day passes into the community after his treating psychiatrist testified that he had made progress in anger management.

A family friend of Schoenborn's ex-wife was at the hearing. He said the family believes Schoenborn should not be given any type of release because he still represents a risk to the community.

The next appearance is Oct. 8.

with files from Jason Proctor