Bail hearing dates set for some teen girls charged in death of Toronto homeless man
Posted January 5, 2023 10:41 am.
Last Updated January 5, 2023 11:57 am.
Bail hearings are scheduled for later this month for four of eight girls facing second-degree murder charges in the death of a Toronto homeless man.
Police have said that three 13-year-olds, three 14-year-olds, and two 16-year-olds allegedly swarmed and stabbed a 59-year-old man in the city’s downtown core in mid-December.
One teen is set to appear in court for a bail hearing on Jan. 20, two others on Jan. 25, and another on Jan. 27.
One girl, who has already been released on bail, is set to return to court next week.
The remaining three teens are to appear on Jan. 25 to set dates for their bail hearings.
Toronto Police Homicide Squad Det.-Sgt. Terry Browne said several people flagged down a Toronto Paramedic Services crew near where York Street, University Avenue and Front Street West meet at around 12:15 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18.
RELATED: Man killed in early morning downtown stabbing; suspects arrested
Browne said three of the girls had previous interactions with police, while the other five did not. He said three of the girls were 13, three were 14, and two were 16. The girls, who range in age from 13 to 16, met on social media and congregated in the city’s downtown core, where they were allegedly involved in two fights.
“They come from varying parts of the city … we don’t know how or why they met that evening and why the destination was downtown Toronto. We don’t know how long they have been acquainted,” he said.
Paramedics rushed the victim to a hospital in life-threatening condition, but he died a short time later.
Today’s court hearing is expected to set dates for bail hearings in the case.
The identities of the accused cannot be released under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
With files from Nick Westoll of CityNews
