U-Haul attack case adjourned as suspect seeks new lawyer

The suspect in a September attack on a police officer who is also accused of mowing down several pedestrians with a U-Haul truck struggled to understand court proceedings when he was without an interpreter Friday.

Abdulahi Hasan Sharif made a brief appearance by video conference in Court of Queen’s Bench early Friday on the 11 charges he faces, including five counts of attempted murder, four counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm during flight from police, one count of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and one count of aggravated assault.

Sharif, 31, is alleged to have stabbed a police officer before driving a U-Haul truck into pedestrians in downtown Edmonton on Sept. 30, 2017.

Though he was scheduled to be arraigned in the province’s superior court Friday, the matter was adjourned to give him time to obtain a new lawyer. Sharif has not entered a plea. An agent for his previous counsel asked Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Stephen Hillier to make an order ensuring Sharif, who is in 23-hour lock-up, is able to access counsel.

Samantha Labahn, the new defence lawyer Sharif is trying to arrange as his representative, told court the proposed October 2019 trial dates are agreeable to her, but that she hasn’t been able to get designation as Sharif ’s counsel yet because of complications with his being able to contact Legal Aid Alberta.

Hillier agreed to make the order, and told Sharif to make sure he had arranged his representation before his next appearance.

During previous court appearances, a Somali interpreter was present to assist Sharif. The clerk advised court that an interpreter had been requested for Friday, but none had checked in.

Sharif underwent psychological assessments following his arrest, and has since been found fit to stand trial and found to not meet the threshold to be deemed not criminally responsible.

The case was adjourned until May 25. Court heard that 20 days have been set aside for the trial.