Today, a judge will determine if the accused in the tragic Lapu Lapu Day festival attack in Vancouver, which claimed the lives of 11 individuals, is mentally fit to face trial.
Adam Kai-Ji Lo stands accused of driving an SUV through a crowded street on April 26, leading to 11 counts of second-degree murder against him.
During the fitness hearing in July, two forensic psychiatrists provided expert testimony, followed by legal arguments from defense attorney Mark Swartz and Crown prosecutor Michaela Donnelly.
While a publication ban has restricted the reporting of evidence from the fitness hearing, it does not extend to the final decision.
An ongoing challenge to the publication ban by a media consortium, including The Canadian Press, will also be addressed by Judge Reginald P. Harris today.
The tragic incident, described by Mayor Ken Sim as “the darkest day in the history of Vancouver,” prompted a thorough safety review of public events in the city.
According to a recent report, the planning for the Lapu Lapu Day festival in East Vancouver adhered to all required protocols, including a risk assessment that indicated a low likelihood of a major safety incident.