Tuesday, June 14, 2022

MISOGYNIST FEMICIDE
‘Incel’ who killed 11 in Toronto van murders sentenced to life in prison

Witnesses at Monday hearing describe devastation from 2018 attack in which Alek Minassian ploughed rented van into sidewalk
Family members embrace outside the courthouse in Toronto, after the verdict in the trial of Alek Minassian in March 2021. Photograph: Chris Helgren/Reuters

Tracey Lindeman in Ottawa
THE GUARDIAN
Mon 13 Jun 2022 

A self-described “incel” who killed 11 people when he plowed a rented van into a busy Toronto sidewalk in 2018 has been sentenced to life in prison.

Alek Minassian – who was motivated by a hatred of women – was convicted in March of 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder, after a judge found that he drove a white rental van on to the sidewalk with the intent to kill.

At a hearing on Monday, he was sentenced to 20 years for 15 counts of attempted murder, which are to be served concurrently.


Toronto van attack suspect says he was 'radicalized' online by 'incels'

Earlier, the Toronto court heard testimony from witnesses and victims, who recounted the horror of the attack, and their struggles with PTSD in the aftermath.

“My world has changed forever,” said Janet Zhang, after describing the mental suffering she still experiences after her CPR efforts to save a victim were unsuccessful.

First responder Charlene Mackay told the court that she still has panic-inducing triggers and night terrors, which she manages by drinking and not eating well. “I don’t feel like he should have a normal life,” she said of Minassian.

Other victims detailed the extensive and life-altering injuries they incurred during the attack, with which they continue to grapple.

Minassian’s actions took the lives of Renuka Amarasingha, Betty Forsyth, Ji Hun Kim, Dorothy Sewell, Anne Marie D’Amico, So He Chung, Andrea Bradden, Chul Min “Eddie” Kang, Geraldine Brady and Munir Najjar.

An 11th person – Amaresh Tesfamariam – died of her injuries in October last year, and Justice Anne Malloy said on Monday she considered the woman the 11th victim.

The Crown asked that Minassian be given 10 life sentences – to be served concurrently – with parole eligibility after 25 years.

The sentencing recommendation came after last month’s supreme court of Canada decision, which found that consecutive periods of parole ineligibility were unconstitutional and should be seen as cruel and unusual punishment.

That decision was rendered after a court challenge by Alexandre Bissonnette, the man convicted of six murders and six attempted murders in the 2017 Quebec City mosque shooting.

In his original sentencing, Bissonnette’s parole ineligibility terms were added up consecutively, totalling 150 years – meaning he would die in prison.

After the May 2022 supreme court decision, he now qualifies for parole after 25 years. Based on that decision, so will Minassian.

Plans go forward for permanent memorial to victims of van attack

Liz Braun - TORONTO SUN

© Provided by Toronto SunOn the fourth anniversary of the deadly Yonge St. van attack, Willowdale MPP Stan Cho (from right), Toronto Mayor John Tory, Willowdale MP Ali Ehsassi and Willowdale Coun. John Filion prepare to place flowers during a memorial at North York’s Mel Lastman Square on Saturday April 23, 2022.

From the beginning, Mayor John Tory has promised the people of Toronto that the victims of the van attack will never be forgotten.

April 23, 2018 was the day innocent people were mowed down as they walked in the afternoon sunshine on Yonge St., near Finch Ave. and Mel Lastman Square.

Temporary plaques in Olive Square and Mel Lastman Square are to be replaced by a permanent memorial to the victims of what Tory called, “a cowardly and senseless attack,” that left 11 dead and 16 badly injured.



City spokesperson Brad Ross provided an update on the permanent memorial that will be placed near the scene.

Work on the memorial has been ongoing behind the scenes, but the first order of business has been to assist in recovery.

“Since the 2018 Yonge Street tragedy, the City of Toronto has worked to support the victims, their families and the broader community of Willowdale in recovering from this tragedy,” said Ross on Tuesday.

“The City is committed to commemorating the event in a manner that the community determines will support healing, resiliency and honouring the victims and those injured and affected.”

There has been a community consultation process that was conducted over the last two years, he added, and it has given the city comprehensive advice on how best to approach a memorial.

An advisory group will be established next, likely this summer.

“With the time allowed for further consultation, running a design competition, procurement, and fabricating and installing a memorial, a permanent installation could occur in 2024.”

Just this week, those affected by the crime have finally had the chance to give their victim impact statements.

And at last the van driver has been sentenced.



On Monday, the victims of the attack were able to tell the world of the physical, emotional and financial wreckage left in the wake of the van attacks. It was a devastating day of testimony as people spoke out about unimaginable suffering and loss.

Toronto van attacker gets life sentence after victims describe lost family, survivor’s guilt and financial ruin

Betty Forsyth, Ji Hun Kim, So He Chung, Geraldine Brady, Chul Min Kang, Anne Marie Victoria D’Amico, Munir Najjar, Dorothy Marie Sewell, Andrea Bradden and Beutis Renuka Amrasingha died in the attack.

Amaresh Tesfamariam died three years later (in October 2021) of her injuries, having never left hospital.

The van driver has been sentenced to life in prison. He will be eligible for parole after serving 25 years, as consecutive life sentences were ruled unconstitutional recently by the Supreme Court of Canada.

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