Accused double murderer Edward Downey taken to Calgary hospital in 'life-threatening condition'

Accused child killer Edward Downey is in critical, life-threatening condition in hospital Friday after suffering a serious medical emergency two months before he is to go to trial on two counts of first-degree murder in thedeaths of a mother and her five-year-old daughter.

Paramedics were called to the Calgary Remand Centrejust before 6a.m.by corrections and remand medical staff after they found a prisonerin "medical distress," spokesperson Stuart Brideaxconfirmed.

Downey was taken to Foothills hospital by ambulance.

Defencelawyer GavinWolchdid not elaborate on Downey's health issues but did tell Justice Beth Hughes that the medical emergency had only arisenFriday morning.

Downey is charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Sara Baillie, 34, and her daughter,Taliyah Marsman, 5, who were killed in July 2016.

Amber Alert

The judge and lawyers involved were to meet Friday morning to discuss scheduling ahead of Downey's upcoming trial but the hearing had to be postponed until Downey can appear in person.

In July 2016, police were called to Baillie's home after she failed to show up for work. Officers discovered the mother's body in herbasement apartment in the northwest community of Panorama Hills.

An Amber Alert was activated for the child when investigators realized she was missing. About a week later, Taliyah's body was discovered about eight kilometres east of Calgary near a rural road close to Chestermere.

Downey was known to both victims, according to police.

Crown prosecutorsCarlaMcPhailand Ryan Jenkins did not oppose Friday'sadjournment.

The three-week jury trial begins in November.

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