Accused in toddler’s patio death at Edmonton restaurant granted bail

EDMONTON – An Edmonton judge has granted bail to an accused drunk driver whose SUV plowed into a restaurant patio, killing a toddler.

Two-year-old Geo (GEE’-oh) Mounsef (MOON’-sehf) was pinned to a wall and later died in hospital.

The boy’s mother stormed out of the courtroom while the judge was still talking, while the child’s father screamed expletives at the accused, who appeared on a video screen.

Provincial court Judge Janet Dixon ordered Richard Suter (SOOT’er), who is 62, to stay away from alcohol when he is released.

Details of the bail hearing cannot be revealed due to a publication ban.

Police allege Suter was in his vehicle, stopped outside a restaruant on Edmonton’s south side, when he shifted into drive instead of reverse.

Geo’s parents were also injured but his five-month-old brother was unharmed.

Suter is charged with impaired driving causing death, impaired driving causing bodily harm and refusing to give a breath sample.

A funeral for the boy is to be held Wednesday.