Assessments needed before Edmonton attack trial plea

A man accused of attempted murder in a knife attack on an Edmonton police officer will enter a plea at his next court date in mid-March.

Abdulahi Hasan Sharif, 30, was in provincial court to face 11 charges related to a Sept. 30 attack on a police officer and allegedly being the driver of a speeding cube van that hit and injured four pedestrians.

Court heard an assessment on whether Sharif could be found not criminally responsible was still not complete. Chief Crown prosecutor Shelley Bykewich told Judge Donna Rae Valgardson that some next steps should occur in the case.

“The initial mental health assessment was ordered on Nov. 14,” she said. “There’s been a second order that occurred in January.”

Defence lawyer Karanpal Aujla said they need all the information before his client enters a plea.

The case has been put over to March 14.