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Accused in killing of sex-trade worker appears in court

Last Updated: Thursday, May 11, 2006 | 8:38 PM ET

CBC News

A man charged with killing a sex trade worker in northern Alberta grinned and waved to the media as he emerged from a police car to appear in court.

Thomas Svekla gave a thumbs-up sign from the back of the car despite the handcuffs circling his wrists.

Thomas George Svekla, 38, leaves the courthouse in Fort Saskatchewan, Alta. on Thursday.
(Ian Jackson/Canadian Press)

Svekla has been charged with second-degree murder in the death of Theresa Merrie Innes, 36, in High Level, Alta.

He has also been charged with indecently interfering with human remains. Police have accused Svekla of transporting Innes's remains in a hockey bag. They were found in a Fort Saskatchewan home on Sunday.

Inside the courtroom, Svekla calmly scanned the gallery as the charges against him were read. When asked whether he understood the charges, Svekla answered quietly that he did. His appearance lasted about five minutes.

The remains of Theresa Merrie Innes were found on Sunday.
(RCMP)

Svekla has been remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear in court again on May 25.

After he left the courtroom, he waved again at reporters and repeatedly placed his finger in front of his lips as if to say "keep quiet."

Lawyer says client has rights

Outside court, his lawyer, Laura Stevens, asked journalists to show restraint.

"Mr. Svekla has the right to a fair trial," Stevens said.

"There has been a tremendous amount of rumour and speculation reported in the media. It is unfair to him. It is critical that it stop."

Svekla was arrested by officers from Project Kare, a task force investigating the deaths of 25 sex- trade workers in the Edmonton area since 1975.

However, the RCMP says there's nothing to link those cases with this one.

"There still is reason to believe that another person or persons responsible for some of the deaths in the greater Edmonton area are still out there," said Cpl. Wayne Oakes.

Svekla does have a criminal record for assaulting his wife and sexually assaulting a little girl. He is also charged with uttering death threats and sexually assaulting a different woman in High Level. That case is expected to go to trial this summer.

This story is now closed to commenting.

Video

Andree Lau reports for CBC-TV

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