The preliminary investigation of Pierre Ny St-Amand, who is accused of driving a bus into a Laval daycare, will take place on March 25, for a period of four days. Ten witnesses will be heard during this legal stage.
The Crown will call civilian witnesses who witnessed the tragedy in Laval, the accused’s spouse, a psychologist and a psychiatrist. The defense will not present any witnesses.
“These are essentially witnesses who were present at the time of the event. There are also members of Mr. St-Amand’s family who will be called to testify,” explained the Crown prosecutor, Ms.e Karine Dalphond, during a hearing of a few minutes held Wednesday at the Laval courthouse.
Pierre Ny St-Amand, detained at the National Institute of Forensic Psychiatry Philippe-Pinel, attended the hearing by videoconference. Due to technical problems it was not visible on screen. He said he understood his preliminary inquiry would be held from March 25 to 28 when Judge Sandra Blancard asked him the question.
The preliminary investigation will exceptionally take place in Saint-Jérôme instead of Laval, since a room is more quickly available there. Photo and video evidence will also be filed during this stage, and an investigator will also have to testify. The presence of an interpreter will also be necessary for the accused’s spouse.
Pierre Ny Saint-Amand is accused of speeding into a daycare in Sainte-Rose with the Société de transport de Laval bus he was driving in February. Two children died and six others were injured during this event. Pierre Ny St-Amand faces nine charges, including two of premeditated murder.
The accused’s lawyer, Mr.e Julien Lspérance Hudon, moreover, confirmed during the hearing that he contests the summons to appear, more precisely the charge of first degree murder and the intention behind the gesture. During the last hearing held in September, he told the media that he wanted his client not to have to go to trial. On Wednesday, he did not respond to journalists’ questions.
A psychiatric evaluation of the accused was conducted earlier this year and was placed under seal.
The preliminary inquiry is a step in the legal process that determines whether there is sufficient evidence to proceed to a trial.