Case for accused in London, Ont. vehicle attack put over until June 28
The man accused of targeting Muslims in a deadly vehicle attack in London, Ont. made a brief appearance in court Monday morning one week after his charges were upgraded to include terrorism.
Nathaniel Veltman, 20, is facing four counts of first-degree murder, and one count of attempted murder in the attack that left four members of the Afzaal family dead and a young boy injured.
At his previous court appearance on June, 14, Veltman learned that his charges would be updated to include terrorism under section 82 of the Criminal Code.
Federal and provincial Crown Attorneys informed the court that they had received consent to pursue terrorism proceedings in relation to the June 6, attack.
Monday morning Veltman appeared by video from the Elgin Middlesex Detension Centre (EMDC).
The appearance lasted only a few minutes as the court was told that Veltman was finalizing retaining a lawyer.
The court was told that he is in the process of retaining Toronto lawyer Christopher Hicks as his counsel. Hicks represented one of the accused in the Bandidos murder trial.
The case was put over another week in order for that finalization to take place.
A publication ban has been placed on the proceedings.
Veltman's next appearance will be June 28 and 9:15 a.m. via video in London, Ont.
The deceased have been identified as 46-year-old Salman Afzaal, his 44-year-old wife Madiha, their 15-year-old daughter Yumnah and her 74-year-old grandmother, Talat Afzaal.
Meanwhile the couple’s nine-year-old son Fayez Afzaal has been recovering from serious injuries sustained in the attack.
He was released from hospital early last week to continue his recovery from home.
Fundraising efforts have raised millions in funds for the young man.
Police have alleged that the attack on the evening of June 6, was a planned and premeditated act against Muslims.
The family had been out for an evening walk along Hyde Park Road at South Carriage Road when they were hit by a driver in a black pickup.
None of the charges have been proven in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.