Preliminary hearing of alleged serial killer Bruce McArthur scheduled for Nov. 30

A preliminary hearing at the accused serial killer Bruce McArthur is scheduled for the end of November.

Two weeks after waiving his right to a preliminary inquiry, McArthur appeared in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice Monday morning.

During this period, the date of the pre-trial hearing was set for 30 November.

McArthur was dressed in blue jeans, a blue dress shirt and a dark sweater inside the audience room. He looked down at the floor, avoiding the visitors' gallery. The accused, the serial killer, did not speak but acknowledged the judge when he was questioned.

The judge explained to the courtroom and McArthur that the process was continuing, stating that the case would be subject to a trial before the start of the trial in September 2019 or January 2020.

McArthur's lawyer had previously told the court that his client had admitted that the case had enough evidence to go directly to trial, which was brought before the Superior Court.

"A preliminary hearing is a meeting between the Superior Court Judge, who manages the case, the defense counsel and the Crown Attorney. At a pre-trial hearing, issues such as disclosure issues are discussed. If a plea is in the works, you can discuss it, "said CP24 expert Steve Ryan about the case.

"Waiving his right to a preliminary inquiry is important because it allows one of two options: the number one for his trial, but when you have eight counts of first degree murder and d & # 39; Life imprisonment, you may want to hear the case and ask your lawyer to cross-examine these witnesses comes to a trial or number two the opportunity for a guilty plea. "

The 67-year-old freelance landscape painter faces eight counts of first-degree murder related to the deaths of Andrew Kinsman, Selim Esen, Majeed Kayhan, Soroush Mahmudi, Dean Lisowick, Skandaraj Navaratnam, Lt. Abdulbasir Faizi and Kirushna Kumar Kanagaratnam.

Many men were linked to the LGBTQ community in the city and had previously been reported missing.

After a multi-month investigation, McArthur was arrested in January.

While the investigation was taking place in the following months, officers said they found the remains of eight men in or near Leaside's home, where McArthur had stored tools for his business. landscaper.

Investigators have previously stated that they did not think that there would be more alleged victims.

None of the charges has been proven in court.