Edward Downey's lawyer gets police evidence collected in murder investigation

Edward Downey's lawyer now knows what evidence police and prosecutors have gathered against the 46-year-old who is accused of killing Sara Baillie and her five-year-old daughter, Taliyah Marsman, in July.

Defence lawyer Gavin Wolch appeared on behalf of Downey in courtWednesday, althoughthe case was put over two weeks as he reviews the package of disclosure handed over by the Crown on Tuesday.

Crown prosecutor Ryan Jenkinssaid further disclosure would only be made if there was evidence collected as part of the ongoing investigation.

• What we know about the mancharged in killing of Taliyah Marsman and her mother
• Edward Downey a career criminal who was violent against women, parole documents show

Downeywas charged afterMarsman's body was found ending an almost week-longAmber Alert on a rural property east ofChestermerelast month.

Her mother was found in their Panorama Hills basementsuite earlier that week.

Criminal past

Downey has a lengthy criminal history that began more than 25 years agoand involvesmostly pimping, drug trafficking and weapons offences.

Hehas been connected to North Preston's Finest, an organized crime group involved mostly in pimping and human trafficking.

Downey's bids for freedom from past stints behind barswere twice denied by the Parole Board of Canada,which cited his likelihood to commit "a violent offence" particularly against a woman if released.

Wolch and his father, Hersh Wolch,will act asco-counsel and senior prosecutor Carla MacPhailis the assigned Crown.

The case is back in court on Sept. 7, though Downey's attendance will onceagain be excused.

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