Medicine Hat killer Jeremy Steinke abandons appeal

The man serving time for murdering a family in Medicine Hat, Alta., has abandoned plans to appeal his conviction.

Jeremy Steinke was convicted in 2008 of killing his 12-year-old girlfriend's parents and younger brother.

He was sent to jail for at least 25 years.

Last January, Steinke filed an appeal asking for a new trial to be heard by a judge alone.

He abandoned that motion Tuesday.

His former girlfriend, who was also convicted of three counts of first-degree murder, is now serving her sentence in the community.