Criminal charges against Michael James Bartley, the Alberta man involved in the double death case in the Blackwater area, were upgraded Thursday, said Cst. Gary Godwin, RCMP media liaison.
Regional Crown Counsel upgraded Bartley's second degree murder charge to first degree murder and has laid a second charge of first degree murder. He also faces charges of aggravated assault and attempted murder.
The accused will appear in Prince George provincial court Friday at 9:30 a.m.
Prince George RCMP found two men deceased at a residence on the Pelican Lake Road identified as Owen Thompson and Darren Hala on March 17 and 18, respectively.
Autopsies of the two men showed both died of stab wounds.
Police also located a 48-year-old female victim at the residence who was transported to University Hospital of Northern B.C. with severe injuries.
On March 18 Alberta RCMP arrested 36-year-old Bartley, an Alberta resident, in Paradise Valley.
He was remanded in custody at the Lloydminster detachment until returned to Prince George to appear in court.
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