Charges laid in jail assault on man who killed Calgary couple and grandchild

CALGARY – Charges have been laid in a jailhouse attack on a man convicted of killing a Calgary couple and their grandchild.

Police say three inmates at the Calgary Remand Centre have been charged with assault and a fourth man faces a similar charge that is expected to be laid “in the coming weeks.”

Police did not name the victim, but Douglas Garland’s lawyer confirmed that his client was attacked Friday night while waiting to be transferred to a federal prison.

Garland, 57, was found guilty last week of killing Alvin and Kathy Liknes and five-year-old Nathan O’Brien.

He was sentenced to life in prison with no chance at parole for 75 years.

Brandon Richards, 34, Connor Skipper, 20, and Michael Bohdan, 30, have been charged with assault.

Police say the 57-year-old man who was attacked was seriously injured and taken to hospital. He was released on the weekend and returned to custody.

Defence lawyer Kim Ross said it was his understanding that the assault was minor. He said Garland was being held in an area that should have been safe.

The trial was told Garland held a petty grudge against Alvin Liknes over an old business dealing.

Garland attacked the trio in the Liknes home, then took them to his farm where he killed and dismembered them before burning their remains.