Luka Magnotta first-degree murder trial to proceed, judge says

A Quebec judge ruled today that Luka Magnotta must face first-degree murder charges in the so-called Canadian Psycho case.

After listening to more than 30 witnesses over several weeks during the preliminary hearing, Judge Lori-Renee Weitzman decided there is enough evidence to proceed to trial, The Canadian Press reported.

In Canada, a preliminary hearing determines if there’s enough evidence to proceed with the case.
All evidence heard at preliminary hearings is subject to a publication ban in the media.

The defense offered no witnesses, while the Crown called 32 and presented video evidence that during the trail caused Magnotta to collapse in the witness stand.

The 30-year-old Toronto native is also facing charges of causing indignity to a body, broadcasting obscene material, mailing obscene material and harassing Prime Minister Stephen Harper, CBC said.

Magnotta, arrested by German police in an Internet café in Berlin last June on an Interpol warrant, stands accused of killing 33-year-old Chinese exchange student Jun Lin.

Lin’s body parts, including his hands and feet, were mailed to two political parties and a school.

His torso was found in a suitcase ready for trash collection. His head was found in a Montreal park, the Toronto Star reported.

Defense lawyer Luc Leclair petitioned the judge to have the charges reduced to second-degree murder, the Toronto Star said.

The trial is expected to continue until next year.

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