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A criminal law expert has shed light on the potentially lengthy legal journey ahead for the case involving Febrio De-Zoysa, the 19-year-old Sri Lankan national accused of a brutal attack in Barrhaven, Ottawa.
Daphne Gilbert, a professor of criminal law at the University of Ottawa, suggests that the legal proceedings could span two to three years as they wind through the complexities of the court system.
Gilbert emphasizes the likelihood of extensive psychiatric evaluations for the accused, aimed at determining his mental fitness to stand trial. Given the seriousness of the charges, it’s crucial to assess De-Zoysa’s capacity to comprehend the legal proceedings and assist in his defense.
The 19-year-old Sri Lankan national currently sits in Ottawa’s Innes Road jail, facing six charges of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder.
While De-Zoysa is set to appear in court once more on March 14, it’s important to note that none of the allegations against him have been proven in court.
Insights into the accused and the events leading up to the tragedy have begun to emerge. De-Zoysa was formerly a student at Algonquin College, although he hadn’t attended since the winter semester of 2023, according to a college spokesperson.
You Tube
Meanwhile, the 19-year-old was reportedly known for posting videos of the video game ‘Minecraft’ on YouTube, however, Google has taken steps to terminate the YouTube channel associated with the suspect citing that if a user’s off-platform behaviour harms the YouTube community, they may take action following YouTube’s creator responsibility guidelines.
He had been residing rent-free with the victims on Berrigan Drive in Barrhaven, as confirmed by Bhanthe Sumanarathana, a friend of the family and resident monk at the Hilda Jayewardenaramaya Buddhist Monastery.
De-Zoysa arrived in Canada two years prior to the incident, initially living with his aunt before crossing paths with Wickramasinghe at Algonquin College, as reported by Global News. However, in a disturbing turn, his demeanor reportedly shifted recently, with family members noting a change in behavior. According to his aunt’s account to Global News, De-Zoysa began cutting off contact with relatives, blocking their phone numbers and social media accounts.
