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Jacob Forman made another appearance in court today via video conference from the Okanagan Correctional Centre in Oliver, B.C.
Today in court, both the Crown and Forman's lawyer, Glenn Verdurmen, agreed to waive the preliminary inquiry, which means Verdurmen isn't asking the Crown to put all the evidence before the provincial court judge. Instead, the case will move to the Supreme Court of British Columbia. A court date has been scheduled for May 28, 2018 at 10 a.m.
"Because of the nature of the offence, that there's two first-degree murder charges and a second-degree murder charge, that's the only court legislatively that can make the final decision," said Verdurmen, outside the Kelowna Law Court.
He was unable to comment on the current state of Forman nor whether he'd undergone a psychological assessment at this time.
"I have spoken with Jacob recently. I've also spoken with his family and one thing they really are concerned about is, I try to keep the privacy of their family at the uppermost," said Verdurmen.
Instead, he commented on the process moving forward.
Verdurmen has been able to review the disclosed investigative materials with his client but says he's unable to comment on any conversations he's had with Forman about the material.
"I certainly can't talk about what goes on behind the scenes about that but I've been able to look at a huge wealth of materials that have been gathered."
It's possible on Forman could deliver a plea on May 28.
"That's a possibility—that would be something that would be in keeping with the next stage," he added. "Of course a plea can be not guilty or guilty, so I'm not at liberty to discuss any instructions.
"As much as people want to know what's going to happen with this because it's a community matter, that's just something I can't comment on today."
In his last court appearance on March 15, 2018, Forman's three initial charges of second-degree murder were changed to two charges of first-degree murder and one charge of second-degree murder for the death of his wife and two daughters.
The mandatory sentence for first-degree murder is life in prison with no parole for 25 years. The sentence for second-degree murder is also life in prison but the parole eligibility dates range between 10 to 25 years, at the discretion of the judge.
On Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2017, Kelowna RCMP were called to the family's Rutland home where they found the bodies of his wife, Clara, and his two daughters, Yesinia Kate and Karina Anne.
Neighbours of the family on Bolotzky Court said Forman was outside hanging Christmas lights and shovelling snow on Tuesday, shortly before being arrested.
The 34-year-old was taken into custody and has remained in custody since then.
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