Defence awaiting additional evidence disclosure in fatal attack on Muslim family

The wait for additional evidence disclosure has put the case of a London man accused of intentionally running down and killing four members of a Muslim family off for two weeks.

Appearing by way of video from the Elgin Middlesex Detention Centre, Nathaniel Veltman said little during under three-minute appearance in London court. The 20-year-old stood with his hands clasped, wearing orange prison garb and a blue face mask. He listened intently as a representative for his Toronto-based defence lawyer Christopher Hicks requested the case be put over until next month.

“There is outstanding disclosure and counsel is requesting further disclosure in this matter. For example the vehicle analysis,” said defence representative Sehee Ahn. “So I am requesting an adjournment of two weeks in hopes we are able to receive and review more disclosure.”

Disclosure is evidence that the Crown and police have gathered to use against an accused individual in court.

Assistant Crown Jennifer Moser told the court two sets of disclosure have already been sent to the defence, with a third set coming. That set will include the vehicle analysis requested, Moser stated.

When told his case would be back before the courts by way of video on October 6, Veltman simply replied “understood.”

He is charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder in the June 6 hit-and-run, which prosecutors alleged 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.

Read original story from London Ontario – BlackburnNews.com