The man charged in the kidnapping of three-year-old Kienan Hebert last September appeared in Cranbrook court for all of 30 seconds on Monday, February 20.
Randall Hopley, 46, was not physically in the courthouse for the brief appearance; instead, he appeared via video link to the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre, where he is detained until the case goes to trial.
Hopley looked healthier than he has in past appearances, with long hair, and was wearing a prison issue orange jumpsuit.
His lawyer, William Thorne, out of Cranbrook, asked the judge to delay the matter for another two weeks to allow further discussion between defense and prosecution counsel.
Judge Grant Sheard agreed, expressing his hope that Hopley would enter a plea at his next appearance on March 5, and elect either a trial by judge, or judge and jury.
Hopley didn’t speak during the proceedings, except to say okay when the judge informed him that he’d be back before the court in two weeks.
On September 7, 2011, Hopley allegedly kidnapped three-year-old Kienan Hebert from his family’s home in Sparwood.
Police issued an amber alert, saying that Kienan disappeared from his bed overnight wearing only Scooby Doo boxer shorts.
Scores of volunteers joined emergency personnel on a massive manhunt, but Kienan was mysteriously returned to the family home physically unharmed four days later after his parents gave a public, emotional plea.
On September 13, Hopley was found by police sniffer dogs at a gravel pit in Crowsnest Lake, Alberta, and taken into custody.
In December, Hopley opted out of a bail hearing, and instead will stay in custody until his case goes to trial.
A psychiatric assessment of Hopley has been performed but it is protected by a publication ban.
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