Crown in Elnaz Hajtamiri case calls for defence lawyer to be disqualified
Nearly a year since Elnaz Hajtamiri disappeared after being allegedly abducted in Wasaga Beach, Ont., the Crown is calling for her ex-boyfriend's lawyer to be removed from the case.
The Crown is citing a conflict of interest and made an application to have Mohamad Lilo's lawyer, Philippe Grenier, disqualified from the case.
Lilo, 35, was arrested in a Montreal suburb in July and faces attempted murder and kidnapping charges.
Any evidence presented in court Wednesday is protected under a publication ban.
Two other men from the Brampton area, Riyasat Singh and Harshdeep Binner, face charges of attempted murder, attempted kidnapping, possession of property obtained by crime, and mischief, in connection with a violent assault on Hajtamiri weeks before she vanished.
Hajtamiri disappeared in January after police say three men posing as cops claimed to have an arrest warrant and forcibly put the then 37-year-old woman into a white Lexus SUV.
Since that time, her family has pleaded for answers.
"If anyone out there can help share information with us, we are waiting for your guidance every day," the family stated in October.
It's unclear when the judge will make a decision on the state of Lilo's lawyer.
Lilo is scheduled to be back in court next week on Dec. 21, one year to the day of the alleged frying pan attack in a Richmond Hill parking garage, which prompted Hajtamiri to attempt to hide with family in Wasaga Beach.
With files from CTV's Mike Arsalides
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Landslide closes B.C.'s Sea to Sky Highway; reception centre opened for stranded travellers
A landslide shut down the Sea to Sky Highway in both directions near Lions Bay Saturday morning, and authorities expected the road to remain closed for at least the rest of the day.
Montreal man died of aneurysm after waiting 6 hours in ER
A 39-year-old Montreal man died of an aneurysm after spending six hours in an emergency room before giving up and going home.
Feds should consider scrapping controversial digital services tax amid Trump tariff threats: Morneau
If the Canadian government wants to make headway with the incoming U.S. administration, it should look at scrapping some sticking-point policies, such as the controversial digital services tax, former Liberal finance minister Bill Morneau says.
'Smoldering myeloma': Breakthrough research could buy time for those at risk of dangerous cancer
Multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer. An estimated 4,000 Canadians are diagnosed each year, according to the Canadian Cancer Society, with an average survival of eight years after diagnosis.
Regular use of e-cigarettes, vaping devices may lead to worse lung function, research suggests
E-cigarette and vape use has grown in the last decade, and new research suggests those who regularly use these devices have a worse lung capacity than those who don’t.
Canada Post union negotiator balks at labour minister's calling for a 'time-out'
This week, Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon announced a 'time-out' in the ongoing Canada Post strike. In a way, Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) negotiator Jim Gallant says he agrees with that phrasing.
'We called a Code Silver': LHSC goes into lockdown after shooting outside emergency department
The emergency department (ED) doors at LHSC Victoria Campus were being repaired Saturday morning after a person fired a gun into the glass.
ABC agrees to give US$15 million to Donald Trump's presidential library to settle defamation lawsuit
ABC News has agreed to pay US$15 million toward Donald Trump’s U.S. presidential library to settle a lawsuit over an inaccurate on-air assertion that the president-elect had been found civilly liable for rape.
YouTube singer arrested in Iran after performing an online concert while not wearing a hijab
Iranian authorities have arrested a female singer who performed a virtual concert on YouTube, a lawyer said.
Kitchener
-
Federal government's two-month GST holiday begins
As a two-month break from the federal GST took effect Saturday, shoppers and businesses expressed lukewarm support for the measure.
-
Kitchener’s House of Friendship receives $500,000 dollar grant for affordable housing project
Kitchener’s House of Friendship is getting a funding boost from the City of Kitchener.
-
61-year-old pedestrian hurt in Cambridge collision
A 61-year-old pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a collision in Cambridge Saturday morning.
Windsor
-
Arrest warrant issued for Windsor, Ont.shooting suspect
Windsor, Ont. police have issued an arrest warrant for a man wanted in connection to a shooting.
-
Mobile clinic administering vaccines amid canine parvovirus outbreak
A team of animal care workers is operating out of the Glengarry Avenue apartment buildings in light of a deadly outbreak of canine parvovirus.
-
Lauzon Parkway and Forest Glade Drive intersection closed due to collision
The Windsor Police Service is asking drivers to stay away from the area of Lauzon Parkway and Forest Glade Drive following a motor vehicle collision.
Northern Ontario
-
Outpouring of support for woman shot at northern Ont. bank
There has been an outpouring of support for a woman who was shot at a northern Ontario bank on Thursday.
-
One dead after single vehicle rollover in northern Ontario
A 65-year-old man from northern Ontario has died after a single-vehicle rollover Thursday evening near Temiskaming Shores.
-
Buckingham Palace maid arrested after drunken brawl at work Christmas party
Buckingham Palace is investigating after a member of staff was arrested at the end of a rowdy Christmas party.
Sault Ste. Marie
-
Outpouring of support for woman shot at northern Ont. bank
There has been an outpouring of support for a woman who was shot at a northern Ontario bank on Thursday.
-
'A lot at stake': Fedeli says Canada needs to unite against Trump’s tariffs threat
Returning from a trip to the U.S. capital, Vic Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade says Canada must unite against looming tariff threats that could be imposed by President-elect Donald Trump.
-
Elliot Lake fire crews continue to battle massive apartment fire
Fire crews continue to battle an apartment building fire on Hirshhorn Avenue in Elliot Lake. Damage is extensive.
Ottawa
-
NEW THIS MORNINGNEW THIS MORNING Ottawa councillor denies questions to OC Transpo head were a 'personal attack'
Ottawa city councillor Riley Brockington says he doesn't believe he overstepped in his line of questioning during a debate on the transit budget this week after the head of OC Transpo accused him of making a "personal attack" against her.
-
Son of Ottawa firefighter battling cancer meets his hero Sidney Crosby
The son of an Ottawa firefighter had the chance of a lifetime to meet one of hockey's greatest players.
-
Man taken to trauma centre in Orleans crash
Ottawa police are investigating a two-car crash in Orléans on Saturday afternoon.
Toronto
-
Three taken to hospital, including two children, after Brampton crash
Three people, including 2 children, have been rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries following a collision in Brampton late Saturday afternoon.
-
Group of Seven murals were considered destroyed after church fire. Here's how they are being brought back to life
Pieces of art and some murals from the St. Anne's Anglican Church have been retrieved and are now undergoing a restoration process by Toronto Art Restoration Inc. (TARI), based in the GTA.
-
Police search for 11 suspects allegedly linked to violence at Brampton, Mississauga protests
Police in Peel Region are working to identify 11 persons of interest who were allegedly involved in violence that broke out during protests in Brampton and Mississauga last month.
Montreal
-
Montreal man died of aneurysm after waiting 6 hours in ER
A 39-year-old Montreal man died of an aneurysm after spending six hours in an emergency room before giving up and going home.
-
GST holiday on a host of products starting today
A two-month break in the federal goods and services tax (GST) on certain products comes into effect today.
-
Tiny, endangered sea turtle found on Quebec’s Magdalen Islands for the first time
One of the world’s smallest and most endangered turtle species was found on the shores Quebec’s Magdalen Islands last week – a first in the province.
Atlantic
-
Christmas carnage: Brave New Brunswickers undertake outdoor endurance test before Christmas
A group of New Brunswickers are running in the cold and jumping in a lake as part of a Christmas tradition
-
N.B. RCMP conduct latest search for missing man near Sussex
Officers with the New Brunswick RCMP’s Specialized Policing Services spent the day Saturday searching the Whites Mountain area near Sussex, N.B., as part of an ongoing disappearance investigation.
-
Saint John pedway reopens following extended closure
After being closed for eight months, the Saint John pedway system is reopened for pedestrians uptown.
Winnipeg
-
National Police Federation raises concerns over Manitoba’s border reinforcement plans
The association representing RCMP officers said it’s concerned about the province’s plans for more overtime to help patrol the border.
-
Suspect arrested in unprovoked attack on taxi driver: Police
A taxi driver sustained minor injuries after he was attacked by a 34-year-old man in Winnipeg’s St. James area.
-
'Should be a concern': The Boyd Building put on the endangered list
A Winnipeg building is on the endangered list.
Calgary
-
British departure means uncertain future for Alberta's massive Suffield military base
A sprawling military training base more than twice the size of New York City in southeastern Alberta appears to be a shadow of its former self while its future use remains up in the air.
-
Team Canada prepares for upcoming Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin
A busy training camp filled with challenging exercises would occupy the thoughts of most high-performance athletes but Darby McIntyre was more excited to meet their teammates.
-
Enbridge reports 265,000-litre oil spill in Wisconsin
Calgary-based pipeline giant Enbridge says it has cleaned up about 60 per cent of a nearly 265,000-litre oil spill in Wisconsin that was discovered last month.
Edmonton
-
Alberta looks at changes to medically assisted death, some question why
The Government of Alberta is exploring the idea of introducing limitations and provincial oversight to medical assistance in death.
-
1 dead in Friday afternoon crash outside Kitscoty, Alta.
One person is dead following a crash Friday afternoon between a sedan and a pickup truck outside Kitscoty, Alta.
-
The benefits of indoor plants and how to keep them alive over the winter
Indoor plants have been shown to reduce stress and aid cognitive functions and many are easy to care for throughout the winter.
Regina
-
Christmas traditions and hobbies become pieces of art for 2 Regina men
It has been months in the making for two Regina men, each creating and constructing their own Nativity scene and Christmas village.
-
Second suspect in suspicious death on Sask. First Nation arrested
The second suspect wanted by Saskatchewan RCMP in connection to a suspicious death on White Bear First Nation has been arrested.
-
Crews respond to blaze at downtown Moose Jaw motel, one person sent to hospital
One person was sent to hospital with fire-related injuries following a blaze at a downtown motel in Moose Jaw on Friday night.
Saskatoon
-
'Little girl deserves justice': Gallery erupts in anger as charges stayed against driver who killed child
In a tense courtroom, a judge stayed the charge against a Saskatoon woman who hit and killed a nine-year-old girl.
-
SIRT investigating after Sask. man dies in-custody
The Saskatchewan Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) is investigating after a 49-year-old man from White Bear First Nation died in a Carlyle Detachment cell.
-
Trains on display at Saskatoon Lawson Heights mall
As shoppers check off the final items on their Christmas shopping lists at Lawson Heights mall, dozens stop to view any train enthusiast's dream.
Vancouver
-
Landslide closes B.C.'s Sea to Sky Highway; reception centre opened for stranded travellers
A landslide shut down the Sea to Sky Highway in both directions near Lions Bay Saturday morning, and authorities expected the road to remain closed for at least the rest of the day.
-
Power outages, downed trees and cancelled ferries due to B.C. windstorm
More than 280,000 British Columbians lost power Saturday as high winds lashed the South Coast. While most had it restored by early evening, some were expected to be without electricity overnight.
-
$3.3M in penalties for woman who defrauded B.C. investors with Chinese student claim
A woman who defrauded investors of millions of dollars by claiming the funds would be used to help Chinese students and tourists has been fined nearly $3.3 million and banned from investment markets for life.
Vancouver Island
-
Power outages, downed trees and cancelled ferries due to B.C. windstorm
More than 280,000 British Columbians lost power Saturday as high winds lashed the South Coast. While most had it restored by early evening, some were expected to be without electricity overnight.
-
Are bigger, better vessels coming to BC Ferries? Why critics are questioning the proposal
BC Ferries is taking a step forward in its plan to build five new vessels, but critics say the proposal could be steering the province into troubled waters.
-
Strong winds and high tides could bring storm surge to coastal B.C., forecaster says
Environment Canada is warning of a storm surge on British Columbia's south coast that could reach a metre high.
