Prosecutors say the case against an Oak Bay man accused of murdering his two young daughters will skip a preliminary hearing and go straight to trial.
Andrew Berry made a brief appearance in court Thursday morning in what was originally scheduled as a focus hearing to prepare for a preliminary hearing.
But the crown is proceeding with a direct indictment and Berry’s next court date, by video link, is April 11 in the supreme court.
Berry faces two counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of six-year-old Chloe Berry and four-year-old Aubrey Berry.
Police discovered their bodies on Christmas Day at Berry’s Oak Bay apartment.
Berry was also found suffering from what were believed to be self-inflicted wounds and was arrested after being released from the hospital.
A judge is expected to be assigned when the case resumes in less than two weeks.
Berry’s trial is expected to start late in the fall.