A Saskatoon student who allegedly set another student on fire is planning to go to trial — inferring a not-guilty plea. While no formal pleas were entered on Thursday, the case was adjourned to arrange trial dates. On Sept. 5, a 15-year-old girl was doused in a flammable substance and lit on fire at Evan Hardy Collegiate. A 14-year-old girl has been charged with attempted murder, arson and aggravated assault. She has also been charged with unlawfully causing bodily harm in connection to teacher Sean Hayes, who got injured while trying to extinguish the fire. The names of the accused and victim cannot be published under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Crown Prosecutor Ainsley Furlonger said the decision to set trial dates was based on a case management meeting held on Wednesday. Defence lawyer Fola Adelugba said she expects the trial to be held at Saskatoon Provincial Court. On Sept. 26, the defence requested an NCR (Not Criminally Responsible) assessment on the teen. The defence said “voices told her to do things,” and the accused was diagnosed with a psychotic disorder before the attack, court heard. She is currently in custody and appeared via video for Thursday’s court proceedings. The case is scheduled to return to court on Feb. 21.
|