Erin Haluschak
Record Staff
The man facing two counts of murder in Courtenay will make his third court appearance next month, allowing him time to consult with a lawyer.
Michael Philip Simard, 42, made his second appearance in a Courtenay courtroom Thursday morning via video from the Vancouver Island Regional Correction Centre in Victoria.
Around 3 a.m. Oct. 5, Comox Valley RCMP attended a residence on the 2300 block of Urquhart Avenue in Courtenay where a woman and man were found dead in the home.
Simard was transported to hospital with a self-inflicted gunshot injury.
Police confirmed Simard and the couple, identified by sources as Leanne Larocque and Gord Turner, knew each other.
Defence attorney Robert Miller told court he is acting as a friend of the court on behalf of Simard, who is in the process of retaining counsel in Victoria.
Simard will remain in custody by consent; he will appear by video in court on Nov 17.