Two girls accused in death of homeless Toronto man choose trial by judge alone

Two teen girls charged successful an alleged radical onslaught connected a stateless antheral successful Toronto person chosen to beryllium tried by a justice alone.

The 2 are among 8 teens accused successful the decease of 59-year-old Kenneth Lee, who constabulary allege died aft helium was swarmed and stabbed by a radical of girls successful December 2022.

The 8 girls were each betwixt the ages of 13 and 16 astatine the time. They were charged with second-degree murder.

Four person since pleaded blameworthy to lesser charges successful the lawsuit in Ontario Court – 3 to manslaughter and 1 to battle causing bodily harm.

The remaining 4 are acceptable to basal proceedings successful Superior Court adjacent year, 3 for second-degree execution and 1 for manslaughter.

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All 4 facing proceedings were initially acceptable to person their lawsuit decided by a jury, but 2 girls person present switched to a judge-only proceedings aft the Crown and justice agreed to a petition from their lawyers.

The judge-only proceedings is acceptable to statesman successful January, portion the assemblage proceedings is scheduled for May.

Court antecedently heard the lawsuit was divided into 2 trials owed to scheduling issues.