TORONTO – The man accused of running down a police officer with a stolen snowplow was remanded in custody Thursday while his newly hired lawyer awaits disclosure.
In a brief video appearance, Bob Richardson said he would represent Richard Kachkar, who faces a first-degree murder charge in the death of Sgt. Ryan Russell.
"The investigation is ongoing," the prosecutor told Ontario court justice of the peace Milan Then.
"There should be some disclosure in the next three to four weeks."
The prosecutor asked Then to put the case over until Feb. 24 to allow time for the material to be gathered and turned over to Richardson.
The Toronto-based criminal lawyer said he’d had a chance to talk to Kachkar, but refused to provide any further details about the accused.
Kachkar, 44, of no fixed address, was shot and arrested Jan. 12 about an hour after Russell was struck down while trying to stop the plow during a chase through city streets.
He has been in custody at the Maplehurst Correctional Complex in Milton, Ont., since his release from hospital but appeared Thursday via video from the Toronto’s Metro West Detention Centre.
His left arm remained in a black sling and his nose still showed signs of injury.
He did not speak beyond clearly identifying himself to the court during what was his third appearance since his arrest.
Police have been seeking information from the public about Kachkar – divorced with two grown children – who drifted between Toronto and St. Catharines, Ont.
Russell, 35, left behind a wife and two-year-old son. He was the first Toronto police officer to be killed in the line of duty since 2002.
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