Judge concerned as accused in Quebec City mosque shooting awaiting evidence

A judge hearing arguments in the case of the accused Quebec City mosque shooter expressed concerns Monday about delays due to incomplete evidence disclosed by the Crown.

Alexandre Bissonnette, 27, is facing six counts of first-degree murder and five of attempted murder using a restricted firearm.

The six victims, aged between 39 and 60, died when a gunman stormed the mosque on Jan. 29 and opened fire on men who were attending prayer.

Quebec court Judge Jean-Louis Lemay told both sides in a Quebec City courtroom his concerns have to do with the Jordan decision handed down by the Supreme Court of Canada last year.

The country’s highest court ruled legal proceedings cannot exceed 18 months in provincial courts and 30 months in Superior Court in order to respect a citizen’s right to be tried within a reasonable period of time.

Murder charges against two people have already been stayed in Quebec as a consequence of the ruling.

Bissonnette changed lawyers in late March.

Prosecutor Thomas Jacques said additional evidence was given to the defence on Monday and added that the disclosure process is not complete.

Among the elements pending are reports on ballistics and details of what was extracted from computers seized by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Bissonnette’s case is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 8, some seven months since his arrest.

The Crown, however, said the case can resume earlier if the remainder of the evidence is disclosed before that date.

— By Stephanie Marin in Montreal