Arrest in 12-year-old cold case

More than a dozen years after his millionaire father and sister were killed, Mark Staples has been arrested on two counts of first- degree murder.

A member of the Staples family says new forensic tests played a role in cracking open one of the most mysterious and frustrating cold cases in Hamilton history.

Wearing a plain white T-shirt and staring directly into the camera, Mark William Staples made a brief video appearance yesterday afternoon in court while in custody with Hamilton police.

The balding, 47-year-old heavy equipment operator crossed and uncrossed his arms over his chest a few times as the charges against him were read aloud. He is charged with the first-degree murders of William Staples and Rhonda Borelli between Jan. 16 and Jan. 19, 1998, in Glanbrook, court heard.