Preliminary inquiry in alleged plan to attack Halifax mall begins

WATCH: The preliminary inquiry for the two people charged in the Valentine ’s Day shooting plot inside Halifax Shopping Centre has begun with four witnesses giving evidence. Marieke Walsh reports.

HALIFAX – A preliminary inquiry in the case involving two people accused of plotting to open fire at a Halifax shopping mall began Tuesday morning.

Twenty-three-year-old Lindsay Kanittha Souvannarath of Geneva, Ill., and 21-year-old Randall Steven Shepherd of Halifax are charged with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit arson, illegal possession of dangerous weapons and making a threat through social media. None of the allegations has been proven in court.

Shepherd was 20-years old at the time of his arrest in February. He turned 21 on July 2.

Neither Souvannarath or Shepherd had family or supporters in court with them. Luke Craggs is a Halifax-based lawyer representing Souvannarath, Shepherd is being represented by Roger Burrill, also based in Halifax.

A Crown document alleges the offences took place between Jan. 6 and Valentine’s Day.

There will be approximately 11 witnesses, according to Crown Attorney Mark Heerema. He also said the focus of the preliminary hearing will be for the defence to ask questions of individuals to assist in the trial.

The Crown alleges the offences involved the Halifax Shopping Centre and were carried out in concert with James Lee Gamble, a 19-year-old man found dead in his Halifax home on Feb. 12.

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Details from the hearing can’t be discussed publicly because of a publication ban. Heerema said this is to protect potential jurors from bias.

He also said a jury trial will be required unless the Crown agrees on another option.

The preliminary inquiry is scheduled for July 7, 8 and 23.

Editor’s note: A previous version of this story listed —-‘s age as 20. It’s been updated to reflect the fact that he turned 21 on July 2.

With files from The Canadian Press and Marieke Walsh.