The bus driver accused of killing two young children by driving his bus into a Laval daycare returned to court this morning, at the Saint-Jérôme courthouse, for his preliminary investigation.
This stage of the legal process aims to determine whether the evidence gathered is sufficient to hold a trial.
Pierre Ny St-Amand, 52, is accused of the premeditated murders of a 5-year-old girl and a 4-year-old boy. Seven other charges, including attempted murder and serious assault, also weigh against the bus driver of the Société de transport de Laval (STL).
On February 8, 2023, Ny St-Amand allegedly hit the Ste-Rose Educational Garderie with his bus, located at the end of a cul-de-sac in a residential area of Laval.
He was arrested at the scene and later appeared from his hospital bed. He then hit a police officer in the face.
The accused was subsequently found fit to stand trial following a psychiatric evaluation.
The preliminary investigation in Ny St-Amand will allow us to find out a little more about the circumstances of the tragedy. However, a publication ban prevents us from revealing its nature.
The bus driver remained handcuffed in the dock because of his “unpredictable behavior,” a detention employee said Monday morning.
Several relatives of the victims, accompanied by a service dog, are present in the courtroom to hear the Crown’s evidence, represented by Ms.are Karine Dalphond and Simon Blais.
In all, around ten witnesses will be heard during the four days of hearings scheduled for this week.
Parents of children from the daycare who intervened with the accused will testify Monday and Tuesday. Police officers, work colleagues and employees of the National Institute of Forensic Psychiatry Philippe-Pinel will then be heard.
Ny St-Amand’s wife is expected to testify for the Crown later this week.