Barring a last-minute change of mind, child killer Allan Schoenborn was set to be in front of a panel at 9 a.m. this morning (Friday) at the Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam for his annual B.C. Review Board hearing.

Such hearings are meant to decide on any applications a mentally ill patient found not criminally responsible for a crime might make.

While a large contingent of media was expected to attend the hearing, the family of Darcie Clarke - whose three children were killed by Schoenborn - was also expected to be on hand to provide a victim impact statement. However, family spokesperson Dave Teixeira said Wednesday the family was still in the dark about what, if any, types of freedoms Schoenborn would ask to receive at the hearing.

Teixeira said the hearing process is very stressful on the family, adding they feel Schoenborn is not a candidate for early release.

"The family is hoping he'll remain in custody and he gets the treatment he requires," he said.

Schoenborn, who killed his three children in 2008 in Merritt but was ultimately found not guilty of murder by reason of mental disorder, caused a stir in 2011 when he applied to the B.C Review Board for escorted access to get a coffee and go to a local pool. He eventually withdrew his application. He was also set to have two hearings in 2012, but cancelled both.

jdeutsch@thenownews.com

Check www.thenownews. com later today for updates.