Day two of preliminary inquiry in alleged plan to attack Halifax mall

WATCH: It was day two of the preliminary hearing for the alleged in the Halifax Mall plot. Marieke Walsh has the details.

HALIFAX – Two people accused of plotting to open fire at a Halifax shopping mall are back at Halifax court Wednesday for day two of their preliminary inquiry.

Twenty-three-year-old American Lindsay Kanittha Souvannarath and Randall Steven Shepherd, 21, of Halifax, are charged with conspiracy to commit murder, possession of weapons for a dangerous purpose, conspiracy to commit arson, and making a threat through social media

Crown attorney Mark Heerema said outside court yesterday that the defence has confirmed there is enough evidence to warrant a trial.

“This matter will be proceeding to trial. Committal is not an issue, its been conceded by the defence that there is enough evidence in this matter to warrant a trial,” Heerema said.

“We would expect that shortly after this preliminary is completed, we will be proceeding to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia to begin the process of setting trial dates.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We would expect that shortly after this preliminary is completed, we will be proceeding to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia to begin the process of setting trial dates."

Eleven witnesses are expected to be called during the preliminary inquiry. On Tuesday, three Canadian Border Services Agents and a member of the Halifax Regional Police were on the stand. The police officer will be back on Wednesday morning for further questions from the Crown.

In court Tuesday, Souvannarath and Shepherd sat quietly throughout the proceedings and neither had family or supporters with them.

The Crown also alleges James Lee Gamble, 19, of Timberlea, NS was involved in planning the shooting plot. He was found dead in his home on Feb. 12, before police could arrest him.

– With a file from The Canadian Press