The man facing eight counts of second-degree murder after allegedly driving through a crowd at a Vancouver Filipino festival on April 26 will face a hearing on fitness to stand trial.
Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, was charged with murder on April 27, a day after the tragedy that claimed 11 lives and injured more than two dozen others. Hundreds of people were celebrating the Lapu Lapu Day festival when a man drove a black Audi SUV into a crowd on East 43rd Ave.
Lo appeared before Vancouver Provincial Court Judge Reginald Harris on May 30 following a 30-day assessment. He remains in custody at B.C.’s Forensic Psychiatric Hospital.
The court has received that report. While no details were discussed, they would not be reportable under a publication ban.
Harris agreed to set two days for a hearing to determine if Lo is fit to stand trial. Lawyers will meet with trial scheduling staff on June 3 to find dates for such a hearing.
The Criminal Code of Canada said such a hearing should happen before a preliminary hearing or before a judge and jury trial.
The code goes on to say that the court may order an accused detained in a hospital until the completion of the trial if a court believes an accused would become unfit to stand trial if released.
Earlier, Vancouver Coastal Health confirmed that the suspect was under the supervision of a health-care team, compliant with treatment and on “extended leave” in accordance with the Mental Health Act.
“In this situation, the care team followed established guidelines for a client on extended leave, and there was no indication this person was not following their treatment plan or presented a public safety risk,” VCH said.
“Extended leave is intended to help clients maintain their treatment plans while transitioning back to the community for ongoing support. Extended leave allows people to be readmitted quickly if cause presents itself," said the health authority.
Lo appeared briefly in Vancouver Provincial Court on May 2 before Harris via video from a Surrey detention centre. Lo spoke only briefly before the court, waving at the camera.
On that date, the judge ordered a 30-day psychiatric assessment to determine if Lo was fit to stand trial.
In the latest appearance, Lo sat at a table clad in grey sweats.
Harris earlier imposed a publication ban on the proceedings. Such bans are generally put in place to protect court processes, and the rights of the accused and to avoid tainting a potential jury pool.
That publication ban will cover the fitness hearing as well.
