Murder trial of van attack driver set for November

The man who drove a van into crowds of pedestrians along Yonge Street, killing 10 people and injuring 16, will have his murder trial begin in November after it was postponed due to the pandemic.

The judge-alone trial for Alek Minassian, 26, on 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder is now set to start on Nov. 9, scheduled for four to six weeks.

Minassian has admitted in an agreed statement of facts to planning to rent a van and using it to kill and injure 26 people on April 23, 2018.

In a long police interview hours after his arrest, Minassian described himself as part of the “incel” movement and mott of ivated by the violent hatred women.

At issue at his judge-alone trial will be his state of mind.

Minassian’s trial was originally set to begin on April 6.