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Luka Magnotta murder trial begins in Montreal | Luka Magnotta murder trial begins in Montreal |
(about 5 hours later) | |
The trial of a Canadian man accused of killing his lover and sending parts of his body in the post to political figures has begun in Montreal. | The trial of a Canadian man accused of killing his lover and sending parts of his body in the post to political figures has begun in Montreal. |
Luka Magnotta, 32, has pleaded not guilty to five charges related to the 2012 death of Jun Lin, a Chinese university student, including murder. | Luka Magnotta, 32, has pleaded not guilty to five charges related to the 2012 death of Jun Lin, a Chinese university student, including murder. |
He faces a life prison sentence if convicted on all charges. | He faces a life prison sentence if convicted on all charges. |
The trial start was delayed amid a crowded court calendar and difficulty selecting jurors. | The trial start was delayed amid a crowded court calendar and difficulty selecting jurors. |
Nearly 1,600 people were interviewed to fill a 14-person bilingual jury that includes two alternates. | Nearly 1,600 people were interviewed to fill a 14-person bilingual jury that includes two alternates. |
Mr Magnotta's lawyer, Luc Leclair, said he had sought jurors who were open-minded and willing to listen to the case, broadcaster CTV reported. | Mr Magnotta's lawyer, Luc Leclair, said he had sought jurors who were open-minded and willing to listen to the case, broadcaster CTV reported. |
"He's been waiting a long time," Mr Leclair said. "There was a time that we never thought this day would come." | "He's been waiting a long time," Mr Leclair said. "There was a time that we never thought this day would come." |
Prospective jurors were asked during the panel selection whether they would be able to handle graphic and disturbing evidence. | |
Police began their investigation after finding a headless torso near Mr Magnotta's Montreal flat in late May 2012. | |
Soon after, limbs were found in the post sent to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office and to the Liberal Party's office. | Soon after, limbs were found in the post sent to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's office and to the Liberal Party's office. |
Lin's body parts were also later revealed to have been mailed to two British Columbia schools. His head was found in a Montreal park. | Lin's body parts were also later revealed to have been mailed to two British Columbia schools. His head was found in a Montreal park. |
Investigators also found a video posted online thought to show Lin's murder. | Investigators also found a video posted online thought to show Lin's murder. |
Mr Magnotta fled to Europe, prompting an international manhunt that ended when he was arrested in an internet cafe in Berlin. | Mr Magnotta fled to Europe, prompting an international manhunt that ended when he was arrested in an internet cafe in Berlin. |
He is charged with first-degree murder, committing an indignity to a body, publishing obscene material, mailing such material, and criminally harassing Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other members of parliament. | He is charged with first-degree murder, committing an indignity to a body, publishing obscene material, mailing such material, and criminally harassing Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other members of parliament. |
The prosecution may ask the jury to find Mr Magnotta guilty of second-degree murder or manslaughter if they cannot prove Mr Magnotta intentionally killed Lin and planned the murder in advance. | |
The trial is expected to last four to six weeks. About 60 witnesses are expected to be called. | The trial is expected to last four to six weeks. About 60 witnesses are expected to be called. |
Lin, who was enrolled as a computer science and engineering student at Concordia University in Montreal, was from the city of Wuhan in China. | Lin, who was enrolled as a computer science and engineering student at Concordia University in Montreal, was from the city of Wuhan in China. |
His father, Diran Lin, will attend the trial. | His father, Diran Lin, will attend the trial. |