1st court appearance for accused in attack on 6-year-old girl on Alberta reserve

STONY PLAIN, Alta. — A man accused of attacking and trying to kill a six-year-old girl on an Alberta reserve has made his first court appearance.

James Clifford Paul appeared on closed-circuit television, standing with his arms crossed, as his defence lawyer put over the case for one week.

Paul, who is 21, is charged with attempted murder, aggravated sexual assault and kidnapping.

The girl’s relatives say she was found naked in the snow on the Paul First Nation west of Edmonton a few days before Christmas.

They say she remains in hospital and may have brain damage.

Paul’s parents have said threats of violence since his arrest have forced them and their other children to move off the reserve.