Direct indictment sought in rampage case
Crown applies for permission to take accused straight to trial
The Crown is applying to go straight to trial in the case of an Edmonton man charged with killing two people and wounding others in a knife attack at a grocery warehouse.
Prosecutor Kim Goddard says she will formally ask the attorney general to approve a direct indictment against Jayme Pasieka.
Pasieka, 30, appeared briefly in court on closed-circuit TV from the Edmonton Remand Centre, where he is being held in a mental health unit.
If a direct indictment is granted, Pasieka would not have a preliminary hearing to determine if there was enough evidence against him for a trial. He would proceed directly to trial on charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated assault and weapons-related offences.
Police have said a man with a knife in each hand and wearing a military-style vest randomly slashed and stabbed workers as he walked through a huge Loblaws complex in February.
Pasieka, an employee at the warehouse, was identified as a suspect and arrested later that day.
Thierno Bah, 41, and Fitzroy Harris, 50, were killed and four others were wounded in the attack. At the time, police said they were baffled by the crime and could find no motive. Court heard Pasieka is still undergoing a private psychiatric assessment requested by his defence lawyer, who is also appealing the province’s decision to deny his client legal aid.
Pasieka is to appear again in court July 21.