The case of a London man accused of deliberately running down a Muslim family in London, killing four and injuring one, has been put over until next month.
Nathaniel Veltman made his seventh court appearance at the London courthouse on Wednesday, appearing by way of video from the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre. Veltman has been held at the south-end jail since the June 6 attack on the Afzaal family.
The 20-year-old is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
Wednesday's appearance lasted less than three minutes, with Veltman remaining relatively silent. Sehee Ahn, a representative for his Toronto-based lawyer Christopher Hicks, requested the case be adjourned until September 22.
"I can advise that disclosure has been coming in, however, it has been coming in sets over time. So I request that we adjourn this matter for four weeks to receive and review more disclosure," said Ahn.
Disclosure is evidence that the Crown and police have gathered to use against an accused individual in court.
The only time Veltman spoke during the brief proceedings was when Ahn asked him to call Hicks.
"I will. Thank you," Veltman said in a strong, clear voice.
Federal Crown Lisa Matthews told the court the Crown is hoping to soon enter preliminary talks with Hicks to discuss "next steps" in the case.
Prosecutors have alleged the deadly hit-and-run constitutes an act of terrorism. London police previously indicated there is evidence the attack was a planned, premeditated act, motivated by hate.
Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, their 15-year-old daughter Yumna Afzaal and 9-year-old son Fayez Salman, and Salman Afzaal’s 74-year-old mother Talat Afzaal were out for an evening walk when a pickup truck mounted the curb at Hyde Park and South Carriage roads and hit them before speeding off. Fayez Salman was the lone survivor of the attack.
Veltman was arrested shortly after the family was struck, roughly seven kilometers from the collision scene.
There is a publication ban on the evidence presented in the case.
