Case of pair accused of plotting attack at Halifax mall adjourned to next week

HALIFAX – A Crown prosecutor in the case involving two people accused of plotting to open fire at a Halifax shopping mall says he is confident it will go to trial.

Court will resume next Thursday to set a date for a preliminary hearing in the case of Lindsay Kantha Souvannarath, 23, of Geneva, Ill., and 20-year-old Randall Steven Shepherd of Halifax.

Both are charged with conspiracy to commit murder, conspiracy to commit arson, illegal possession of weapons for a purpose dangerous to the public and making a threat through social media.

Crown lawyer Mark Heerema said Friday he believes a single day will be enough for the prosecution to demonstrate that there’s enough evidence to have the matter tried.

Police have disclosed thousands of pages of evidence and well as witness interviews, Heerema said.

Crown lawyer Shauna MacDonald has said the prosecution will oppose bail if an application is made.

The Crown information submitted with the provincial court alleges the offences took place between Jan. 6 and Valentine’s Day and were carried out in concert with James Lee Gamble, a 19-year-old man found dead in his Halifax home.

The RCMP allege the accused were planning an attack on the Halifax Shopping Centre.

None of the allegations made by police or other officials about the case has been proven in court.