A Canadian man accused of intentionally working over and killing 4 members of a Muslim household in London, Ontario pleaded not responsible
ByABC Information
September 5, 2023, 8:54 PM
Nathaniel Veltman is escorted whereas leaving trial outdoors Ontario Superior Court docket in Windsor, Ontario, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023. The trial of a person going through terror-related homicide costs within the deaths of 4 members of a Muslim household in London, Ontario, in 2021, has began in Windsor. (Dax Melmer/The Canadian Press by way of AP)
The Related Press
WINDSOR, Ontario — A Canadian man accused of intentionally working over and killing 4 members of a Muslim household in London, Ontario pleaded not responsible on Tuesday, as jury choice for his trial began.
Nathaniel Veltman is accused of intentionally hitting the Afzaal members of the family along with his truck as they had been out for a stroll on the night of June 6, 2021. He has been charged with 4 counts of first-degree homicide and one depend of tried homicide.
Standing subsequent to the accused because the courtroom registrar learn the fees, protection lawyer Christopher Hicks entered not responsible pleas on Veltman’s behalf.
Veltman, who wore a long-sleeve white shirt and black pants in courtroom, was sitting quietly between his protection attorneys Hicks and Peter Ketcheson in the course of the jury choice course of.
Jury choice was set to proceed on Wednesday for the trial that’s anticipated to final 12 weeks.
Superior Court docket Justice Renee Pomerance dominated final 12 months {that a} change of venue is warranted within the case, transferring the trial from London to Windsor, Ontario.
The explanations for that call, in addition to the proof and arguments offered in courtroom, can’t be disclosed on account of a publication ban.
Salman Afzaal, 46, his 44-year-old spouse Madiha Salman, their 15-year-old daughter Yumnah and her 74-year-old grandmother, Talat Afzaal, had been killed within the assault. The couple’s 9-year-old son was additionally significantly harm however survived.
Pomerance mentioned the prosecution is alleging that Veltman, who was 20 on the time of his arrest, was motivated by extremist right-wing views related to white supremacy when he deliberately drove his truck over a curb to strike the Muslim members of the family.
Not one of the allegations has been confirmed in courtroom.
The assault on the Afzaal household despatched waves of shock, grief and worry throughout Canada and spurred ongoing requires measures to fight Islamophobia within the nation.
The Metropolis of London devoted a backyard to the Afzaal household.