The accused Febrio De-Zoyza in the Sri Lankan family mass killing in Ottawa, Canada made a brief court appearance yesterday (14), according to a Canadian media report.
The voice of Febrio De Zoysa, the 19-year-old youth, could be heard in an audio link from his detention place, Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre. The courtroom was packed with reporters while De-Zoysa mumbled his name and date of birth. But a correctional officer admonished them to speak louder.
A Lawyer Ewan Lyttle appeared on behalf of Febrio registered his client’s language of choice as English, and requested an adjournment until March 28. The court hearing ended within four minutes. Accordingly, the case will be taken up to the courts on the 28th of March.
Lawyer Ewan Lyttle who came out from the courtroom said that Febrio’s parents are supporting the case but he stressed they were not in Sri Lanka now. Responding to the media queries from outside the courts Lyttle said Febri’s parents are upset about the incident but they are supporting his client. Reporters asked if his client might use mental health as a defense or if he understood what had happened, but the lawyer declined to comment.
De-Zoysa is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of the family members of Dhanushka Wickremasinghe an entrepreneur who started a cleaning business in Ottawa and his friend who was living with them. He was charged with killing Dhanushka’s wife.
However, no clear reason that young Febrio led to this mass tragedy. However, a source close to the victim’s family said that they presume Febrio’s game addiction induced him to this crime.
According to the information received by the victim’s family’s relatives Febrio was advised to play games silently as his noisy game sounds have affected to the family.
Although there was no clear evidence remaining it was suggested that there could have been a heated argument with 35-year-old mother Dharshani and as a result of that Febrio was compelled to commit this crime.
Darshani Dilanthika Ekanayake, 35-year-old mother, Inuka, seven-year-old son, Ashwini, four-year-old daughter;Ranaya, three-year-old daughter, Kelly, two-month-old daughter; and Gamini Amarakoon, a 40-year-old family friend.
Dhanushka Wickermasinghe who survived the Knife life sharp object attack still receives treatment in the hospital. His father and brother have already arrived in Ottawa for the rest of the matters.
Meanwhile, their family friends disclosed the funerals of the victims to be taking place this weekend.
