Laval daycare fatal bus crash: driver’s preliminary hearing set for March
Posted November 29, 2023 11:15 am.
Last Updated November 29, 2023 3:42 pm.
The preliminary hearing for a Quebec man accused of killing two young children by driving a city bus into a Laval daycare was set for March 25.
Witnesses of the deadly Feb. 8, 2023, incident, relatives of the accused, a police investigator, a psychologist and a psychiatrist are expected to testify at the four-day hearing. Prosecutor Karine Dalphond said she plans to call about 10 witnesses.
Pierre Ny St-Amand was arrested after a bus crashed into the front of a daycare, killing two four-year-olds and injuring six other children.
He appeared in court by video conference Wednesday.
“It’s essentially civilian witnesses who were present when the incident happened,” Dalphond told the court. “In addition, there are members of Mr. St-Amand’s family who will also be called to testify. As well, there was an evaluation that was conducted at the request of the defence with regards to criminal responsibility, and the psychiatrist and psychologist will also be asked to testify.”
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The 51-year-old bus driver has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder as well as seven other charges, including attempted murder and aggravated assault.
St-Amand’s defence lawyer Julien Lesperance Hudon has argued his client should not face trial. The preliminary hearing is being held to determine if there’s sufficient evidence to hold a trial.
The hearing will take place in St-Jerome because a courtroom wasn’t available in Laval.
Hudon told a Laval court Wednesday he plans to challenge the two charges of first-degree murder on the grounds that his client did not have the necessary criminal intent.
The accused remains detained at the Institut Philippe-Pinel. A psychiatric evaluation remains sealed.
–With files from The Canadian Press
