First-degree murder charges against dad of 3 slain kids

The father of three slain children found inside their Merritt, B.C., trailer home on April 6 has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder relating to their deaths.

Allan Schoenborn, 40, remained in hospital in Kamloops and did not appear in court Wednesday when the charges were laid.

"The Criminal Justice Branch has charged Allan Schoenborn with three counts of first-degree murder in relation to the deaths of his three children — Kaitlynne, Max and Cordon Schoenborn," Crown counsel Lorne Fisher said.

"The police investigation remains ongoing and we expect to receive further evidence in the days and weeks to follow … We ask for your patience and that you allow the circumstances of this case to unfold in the court of law," Fisher said.

Schoenborn hid out for 10 days after his children's bodies were discovered by their mother. A massive manhunt ensued as police identified Schoenborn as the prime suspect in the slayings.

A local man out walking his dog stumbled across Schoenborn on the outskirts of Merritt, not far from where the killings took place. The dog walker then flagged local hunter Kim Robinson, who had been combing the area for Schoenborn. Robinson located and held Schoenborn until police arrived.

After his arrest, Schoenborn was transferred from RCMP cells to hospital for treatment of frostbite and dehydration.

He is scheduled to return to court May 2 on charges of uttering threats, stemming from an incident at his children's school a few days before the killings. He is also charged with escaping custody.

Lawrence Myers, a Vancouver criminal lawyer, said the murder charges against Schoenborn suggest the prosecution believes he planned the killings.

"He [Schoenborn] may have verbalized it to somebody. It may be in the manner in which it is carried out that shows that there's planning," Myers said.

RCMP have come under fire for not warning the public that Schoenborn was on the loose until the day after the bodies of his children were discovered.

The case has also raised questions about the justice system because Schoenborn was released on bail after the incident at his kids' school over the objections of RCMP and despite a peace bond and three arrests in the week prior to the deaths.

A public memorial service for the children will be held this weekend in Merritt, a ranching community located about 270 kilometres northeast of Vancouver.