Warning: this article may contain content that is distressing for some readers.
The trial of Nathaniel Veltman, a 22-year-old accused of four counts of first degree murder, one count of attempted murder, and related terrorism charges, continued with video evidence on Thursday.
Viktor Poc, a forensic specialist for the London Police Service, was recalled to the stand to continue running through video the defense describes as Veltman's "progress" through police headquarters.
On Wednesday, the defense had Poc run through the beginning of the projected four hours of video, which showed Veltman sitting in the back of a police cruiser waiting to be booked by London police, a search of his person, and his booking.
Thursday, Justice Renee Pomerance opened court by telling the jury that any audio in the video would be removed and they should not speculate as to what may have been said as it "bears no consequence" on the trial.
New video began at 9:46 p.m. on June 6, 2021 with Veltman alone in an interview room.
The room contains only a bench, phone, and a mirror on the wall. In the video, Veltman can be seen lying on the bench, before he gets up and begins to walk around the space. After 40 minutes of pacing in circles, Veltman sat on the bench before lying down again.
At 10:36 p.m., Veltman answers the phone, presumably to speak with duty counsel. The jury was told that the phone call lasted until 10:52 p.m. as the video was sped up in real time.
At 10:58 p.m., Veltman was escorted from an interview room. Pomerance told the jury after this video was played that they would not have heard any audio from this room in any circumstance, as it would violate attorney-client privilege.
The next video showed Veltman arrive at 10:59 p.m. at cell M-19, which is a small space with a poured concrete bed. Defense lawyer Christopher Hicks pointed out that there were no blankets, pillows, or other furnishings.
Veltman can be seen pacing constantly for nearly 45 minutes, before he sits down. He cycled through walking and sitting several times while he remained in the cell until just before 1:18 a.m. on June 7, 2021.
Poc returned to the stand for the afternoon session with more video of Veltman in London's police headquarters.
The first two segments of video showed Veltman walking to and from an interview room. Pomerance instructed the jury that between these segments a period of time would be missing as the videos continued, as that interview would be played at a later time with a different witness.
The next video showed Veltman placed in cell M-04, a slightly larger cell that includes two concrete beds and a toilet, at 3:50 a.m. He was seen pacing the cell and was given a drink by police.
At one point Poc pointed out that the video skips forward so as not to show Veltman use the facilities in his cell. It then appears that he fell sleep.
The defense continued to show video of Veltman in cell M-04, in which he cycles between lying down, pacing the cell, and sitting.
At 6:10 a.m., a cadet comes to escort Veltman from the cell to what Poc described as the area "where individuals get fingerprinted." Over a period of six minutes Veltman has his photo and fingerprints taken. He is then taken back to cell M-04.
When returned to the cell, Veltman continues to alternately lie down and walk back and forth.
At 7:23 a.m., Veltman is shown getting something to eat. After eating Veltman resumes his cycle of lying down, pacing, and sitting.
Several times officers are seen walking past Veltman's cell while he appears to be asleep.
A detective arrives at cell M-04 at 9:33 a.m. and seemingly wakes Veltman. He remains outside the cell and appears to speak to Veltman for a minute before leaving.
Shortly after, at 9:54, Veltman is removed from his cell. The jury is then shown the same detective who spoke to Veltman at his cell lead him back to the same interview room from earlier.
The two remain in the interview room from 9:55 a.m. to 11:20 a.m.
After the final video, showing Veltman and the detective leaving the interview room, the defense rested.
The Crown asked Poc two questions in re-examination, whether Veltman was served anything other than the food at 7:23 a.m. and drink around 3:50 a.m. and whether he appeared to be holding anything when he left the interview room the second time. Poc answered "yes" to both questions. He was given another drink before his breakfast and he was holding something when he left the interview room, though he couldn't speculate as to what it was.
Poc was then dismissed from the witness stand.
The next Crown witness, who the judge told the jury is expected to be Detective Micah Bourdeau, is scheduled for tomorrow morning.
On June 6, 2021, Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, their 15-year-old daughter Yumna Afzaal, and Salman's 74-year-old mother Talat Afzaal were killed while taking a walk at Hyde Park and South Carriage Roads in London. A now 11-year-old boy is the only survivor after a pickup truck hopped the curb and hit the family before driving off.