Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Magnotta appears to fight back tears as evidence presented

MONTREAL -- The man accused of killing and dismembering a Chinese foreign student appeared to wipe away tears Thursday as more evidence against him was introduced at a preliminary hearing.

Luka Rocco Magnotta has been mainly impassive during the four days he's spent in a courtroom, sitting with his arms folded and listening without emotion.

But on Thursday, he appeared to wipe away tears while a Montreal police investigator gave evidence.

Shackled and sitting in a fortified prisoner's box in a high-security courtroom, Magnotta lifted his hand to his mouth during testimony and rubbed and wiped his eyes from under a pair of glasses.

Magnotta, 30, is charged with first-degree murder in the slaying last May of Jun Lin, a Concordia University engineering student from China.

Magnotta is also facing four other charges related to the case.

The evidence being heard at the hearing is subject to a publication ban.

A second homicide investigator was among those to testify Thursday. Earlier in the day, a British journalist subpoenaed by the Crown also took the stand.

Alex West is a reporter for the Sun newspaper in England and was in Montreal to cover the hearing before he was told he would be called to testify.

Lin's father, Darin Lin, was also back in court during the morning after leaving the courtroom in tears earlier this week.

The Lin family made the trip to Canada, at considerable cost, in order to honour their relative's memory and to follow the legal proceedings.

The hearing will determine whether there is enough evidence to send Magnotta to trial for the murder of Lin, 33. At least three weeks have been set aside for the preliminary phase.

The hearing has also attracted intense media attention. Law, criminology and journalism students have routinely attended.

One 22-year-old man who described himself as a supporter of Magnotta has driven up from North Carolina to attend the hearing and try to make make contact with the accused.

-- The Canadian Press

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition March 15, 2013 A16

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.

letters

Make text: Larger | Smaller

LATEST VIDEO

Andrew Ladd on the Jets' lack of a playoff season

View more like this

Photo Store Gallery

  • MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS 060711 Chris Pedersen breeds Monarch butterflies in his back yard in East Selkirk watching as it transforms from the Larva or caterpillar through the Chrysalis stage to an adult Monarch. Here an adult Monarch within an hour of it emerging from the Chrysalis which can be seen underneath it.
  • Geese take cover in long grass in the Tuxedo Business Park near Route 90 Wednesday- Day 28– June 27, 2012   (JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

View More Gallery Photos

Poll

Do you agree with the coming ban on sales of cigarettes at health-care facilities and pharmacies, including large retail outlets?

View Results

View Related Story

Ads by Google