Suspect in Lapu-Lapu Day tragedy appears in court to determine whether he's mentally fit to stand trial
The suspect in an alleged car-ramming attack at a Vancouver street festival in April appeared in court Wednesday to determine whether he's mentally fit to stand trial.
Kai-Ji Adam Lo, 30, is accused of driving an SUV through a crowd of people at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival on April 26. Eleven people were killed and many more injured.
Lo is facing 11 charges of second-degree murder.
The incident prompted the B.C. government to commission a report that made sweeping recommendations for event safety in B.C., as well as an outpouring of support for the Filipino diaspora.
On Wednesday, Lo appeared in court to determine whether he was fit to stand trial.
The accused sat in the prisoner's box wearing a black long-sleeved sweatshirt and black pants. His hair was dishevelled as he sat with his hands clasped in his lap.
The hearing began with Crown prosecutor Michaela Donnelly informing the court that a Supreme Court of Canada decision expected on Friday could change the legal standard used to determine whether an accused is fit to stand trial, which could have consequences for Lo's fitness trial.
Despite this, the court decided to proceed, as witnesses are already lined up.
The fitness trial will happen in two stages: facts and evidence this week, and argument on the law at a later date.
Publication ban
Many of the details surrounding Lo's Wednesday court appearance are subject to a court-ordered publication ban. The ban covers evidence and exhibits related to Wednesday's hearing.
But a media consortium, a group of news outlets working together, is challenging the ban.
Daniel Coles, the lawyer representing the consortium, which includes CBC News, said the media — and in turn the public — deserve to know the evidence for why Lo is or is not fit to stand trial.
"If a judge determines that the accused is not fit to stand trial, people need to understand why. That's a pretty big decision," he said from the Vancouver Law Courts Wednesday morning. "And conversely, if the judge decides he can stand trial notwithstanding perhaps evidence of diseases of the mind ... the public needs to be satisfied that that's also fair."
Coles said he believes the judge recognizes the public interest in the case.
"I'm optimistic that there can be an outcome favourable to Canadians, British Columbians, victims, members of the impacted communities that will allow access and publication," he said.
Crystal Laderas, public relations manager for Filipino B.C., said community members want answers.
"There's still a lot of grief, anger and confusion as to what happened that day," she said while speaking to media outside the Law Courts.
"Obviously, there's a lot of public interest in this case. I believe the community is looking for answers and at least to be able to follow these proceedings closely, but we do want to respect that the court process and this hearing is important as well."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
27 minutes ago
- CTV News
Man pleads guilty in arson extortion case targeting Edmonton homebuilders
The remnants of a newly built home that was burned down and is under investigation for arson in Edmonton on Friday Jan. 5, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson A man admitted in court Friday to being part of an arson extortion syndicate targeting South Asian homebuilders in Edmonton. Manav Heer, wearing an orange jumpsuit, pleaded guilty to extortion, conspiring to commit extortion, attempting to cause fire to property and using an imitation firearm during an offence. He also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving for causing a crash that left a child with a severe brain injury. An agreed statement of facts read in court says Heer, while involved with the Brothers Keepers gang and its arson scheme, crashed his father's BMW into another vehicle carrying a woman and her seven-year-old son in 2023. Court heard the boy has lost his vision, will most likely lose his hearing and could need a caretaker for the rest of his life. Crown prosecutor Breena Smith told court the homebuilders were targeted between October 2023 to January 2024. She said Edmonton police, as part of an investigation dubbed Project Gaslight, investigated 40 arsons, extortions and a shooting, some involving Heer. The extortions included demands for large sums of money from the homebuilders, Smith said. There were threats to burn down homes and to shoot and kill their relatives. Sometimes multiple homes were burned in one night, she said, and photos and videos of destroyed homes were sent to the builders. In some cases, shots were also fired into the homes the builders lived in with their families. In July 2024, Heer and five others, including a youth, were arrested and charged. Charges against one accused have since been stayed. And another earlier pleaded guilty. A sentencing date for Heer is to be set at a later date. Smith said the alleged leader of the syndicate, Maninder Singh Dhaliwal, is accused of orchestrating the scheme from the United Arab Emirates. There is a request to extradite him to Canada to face charges. Dhaliwal called himself 'Batman,' Smith told court, and it is believed he was often the one who called the victims demanding money. Smith said hundreds of officers worked on Project Gaslight. They intercepted phone calls, seized phones and sifted through countless conversations between gang members on various messaging platforms. In one conversation, members 'discussed hiring more people, creating larger arson teams, obtaining firearms, identifying additional extortion targets in the South Asian homebuilder community,' Smith told court. In the days leading up to his arrest, Heer expressed frustration over the pay being reduced for some gang members to $1,500 per arson from $2,000, said the prosecutor. She said the conversations — some with fire emojis — showed Heer helped identify homes to target and recruited drivers to assist the arsonists. 'The total property damage for the arsons in which (Heer) was involved in was approximately $10 million,' Smith said. Court heard Heer was paid $10,000. Some of the homebuilders fled Alberta, Smith said. One bought an armoured vehicle and hired 24-7 security. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 1, 2025. Fakiha Baig, The Canadian Press
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
London man charged with attempted murder accidentally released from custody
Arrest warrant issued for London man with several charges, including attempted murder. (Source: London Police) London Police are asking for the public's help as they search for a man who was accidentally released from custody. The 28-year-old of London, Cody Anthony Leblanc, made a court appearance on Thursday in relation to several charges including attempted murder. After the court date, he was mistakenly released. Police became aware of his release Friday afternoon. The man was last seen in the area of Exeter Road and Sholto Drive, at approximately 8 p.m. on Thursday. He's described by police as male, Black, approximately 229 lbs, 6'4', medium build, with black hair, black scruffy facial hair and brown eyes. Police urge anyone with information to contact them, as he is seen as a significant risk to public safety.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
2 arrested in payment terminal fraud at NDG restaurants
Montreal police have charged two men after payment terminals were stolen from family-owned businesses and used to withdraw thousands of dollars.
