A date has been set for next month for the judicial pre-trial for the London man accused of deliberately running down and killing four members of a Muslim family.
Nathaniel Veltman made his eleventh court appearance at the London courthouse on Wednesday. He appeared by video from the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre, where he has been held since his June arrest. The hearing lasted just over two minutes, with Veltman only speaking to identify himself.
A representative for defence lawyer Christopher Hicks updated the court that there has been some movement in the case before requesting the pre-trial date.
"I can advise that a Crown pre-trial was conducted (on Tuesday) and the matter requires a judicial pre-trial," said defence representative Sehee Ahn. "I'm going to suggest the matter return in mid-December for the purpose of scheduling and holding the judicial pre-trial."
The pre-trial date of December 15 was selected to accommodate Hicks, who is currently counsel on another murder trial which isn't expected to be completed until December 3.
Judicial pre-trials differ from Crown pre-trials in that a judge is present for the discussions. Crown pre-trials involve only the Crown attorney and the criminal defence lawyer of the accused. The goal of both pre-trials is to reach a resolution in the case without having to proceed to trial.
Veltman is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder in the June 6 hit-and-run that left four members of the Afzaal family dead and a fifth injured. Prosecutors have alleged the deadly attack constitutes an act of terrorism.
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. London police have said there is evidence the attack was a planned, premeditated act motivated by hate.
There is a publication ban on the evidence presented in the case.
