Posted on Nov 15, 2023
Canadian killed family to make Muslims 'fearful', jury hears
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A Canadian man accused of killing a Muslim family in London, Ontario, wanted to make "all Muslims fearful for their safety", a jury has heard.
Prosecutors said in their closing argument that Nathaniel Veltman wanted to send "a brutal message".
Mr Veltman, 22, faces four first-degree murder charges and one count of attempted murder.
He also faces terrorism counts, with prosecutors arguing he targeted the family because of their faith.
Prosecutors said in their closing argument that Nathaniel Veltman wanted to send "a brutal message".
Mr Veltman, 22, faces four first-degree murder charges and one count of attempted murder.
He also faces terrorism counts, with prosecutors arguing he targeted the family because of their faith.
Canadian killed family to make Muslims 'fearful', jury hears
Posted from bbc.com
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Posted 6 mo ago
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel one sick MF...
..."They also argued that Mr Veltman suffered from several mental conditions, including depression, anxiety and a personality disorder, and that these conditions were exacerbated by his drug use.
Christopher Hicks, the lawyer for Mr Veltman, described his client's mental state at the time as "a runaway freight train headed for explosion".
He argued that his client was guilty of manslaughter, rather than first-degree murder.
Mr Veltman was arrested shortly after the attack in a car park close to the city's oldest mosque, where the Afzaal family were regular worshippers.
The suspect was wearing what appeared to be body armour and a helmet, police said.
Instructing the jury after closing arguments, Justice Renee Pomerance said the facts of the case - that Mr Veltman drove into the Afzaal family with his pick-up truck - were not in dispute.
"What is in dispute is why Mr Veltman did this and what his state of mind was at the time," she said.
The jury is now deliberating. He faces life in prison if found guilty."
..."They also argued that Mr Veltman suffered from several mental conditions, including depression, anxiety and a personality disorder, and that these conditions were exacerbated by his drug use.
Christopher Hicks, the lawyer for Mr Veltman, described his client's mental state at the time as "a runaway freight train headed for explosion".
He argued that his client was guilty of manslaughter, rather than first-degree murder.
Mr Veltman was arrested shortly after the attack in a car park close to the city's oldest mosque, where the Afzaal family were regular worshippers.
The suspect was wearing what appeared to be body armour and a helmet, police said.
Instructing the jury after closing arguments, Justice Renee Pomerance said the facts of the case - that Mr Veltman drove into the Afzaal family with his pick-up truck - were not in dispute.
"What is in dispute is why Mr Veltman did this and what his state of mind was at the time," she said.
The jury is now deliberating. He faces life in prison if found guilty."
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