Nathan OBrien murder case: Douglas Garland appears in court

The man accused of killing five-year-old Nathan O'Brien and hisgrandparents, Kathy and Alvin Liknes, made a brief court appearance in Calgary Thursdaymorning via closed-circuit TV.

Douglas Garland, 54, was charged last month with two counts of first-degree murder and one count of second-degree murder.

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The boy and his grandparents disappeared at the end of June from a house in southwest Calgary. Their bodies have not been recovered.

Garland said nothing as Crown lawyers told the judge there is still asubstantial amount of evidence to be disclosed to defence counsel.

The case was put over again until Sept. 17.

Crown prosecutor Shane Parker said a preliminary hearing is still about six to eight months away. In the meantime, the prosecution is trying to keep the victims'families informed.

"It's critical just from a human standpoint, making sure they understand what's happening," he said."It's a confusing time on so many levels for them and if we can help them, explain the court process, then that's helpful."

Trust fund set up for family

Garland last appeared in court via video link on July 16, at which time the case was adjourned until today because Crown prosecutors were still waiting for police evidence disclosure.

Garland, whose sister is in a common-law relationship with Alvin Likness son, was arrested on July 14following an extensive search of a property north of Calgary that is owned by Garland'sparents.

CBC Newslearned there were soured business dealings between Garland and Alvin Liknes, including a patent dispute.

Cherri Hodgins, a close friend of Kathy Liknes, said a trust fund has been established to help the family.

"The family is in pieces, nobody is working and nobody can get back to normalcy, whatever normalcy means to us at this point. But it's going to take a long time for us to recover,"she said.

Donations to the O'Brien Fundcan be made at CIBC branches across the country.