A man accused of eight counts of murder after allegedly driving a vehicle into a Vancouver crowd of Filipino festival-goers in April appeared briefly in Vancouver Provincial Court July 8.
Eleven people were killed and many more injured on April 26 at the Lapu Lapu Day festival in East Vancouver when a black Audi SUV rammed through the crowd along a stretch of East 43rd Avenue, near St. George Street. The street was lined with food trucks and vendors on both sides.
Police announced the next day Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, was charged with eight counts of second-degree murder.
Lo soon appeared in court and remains in custody at B.C.'s Forensic Psychiatric Hospital in Coquitlam.
Clad in blue prison sweats Tuesday, he quietly sat in a room, his hair tousled and a sullen expression on his face.
"Can you see and hear us?" Judge Reginald Harris asked Lo.
"Yes," Lo said, giving a thumbs up.
He appeared before Harris via video for an application by defence lawyer Mark Swarz for further disclosure of psychiatric records.
Harris earlier ordered a 30-day psychiatric assessment in custody to determine if Lo is fit to stand trial. That is due to be discussed in court July 23 when Lo is due to be in court in person.
Now, Swartz sought reports, records and notes made by forensic psychiatric staff who have been in contact with Lo.
Crown prosecutor Michaela Donnelly is handling the case and did not oppose the request. Harris asked that an order be drafted that he would sign.
The case is covered by strict publication bans.
