Manslaughter plea rejected for man charged with fatally stabbing ex-girlfriend
Nearly six years after Melinda Vasilije was found fatally stabbed in her Kitchener apartment, the trial of the man accused of killing her is about to begin.
Ager Hasan is charged with second-degree murder in the 22-year-old’s death.
After numerous delays, jury selection for the trial got underway at the Waterloo Region Courthouse on Monday.
Hasan tried to plead guilty to a lesser charge, but the Crown rejected it, meaning the trial will continue as planned.
VASILIJE FOUND DEAD, HASAN PLEAS
Vasilije was found dead in the early morning hours of April 28, 2017 at her apartment on Country Hill Drive.
Within hours of the discovery, Waterloo regional police had named her former boyfriend, Ager Hasan of Hamilton, as a suspect. Police said Hasan, who was 24 years old at the time, had fled south of the border.
“Our investigators from our major crime branch are connecting with as many enforcement agencies as possible,” said police at the time.
He was arrested on July 11, 2017 in San Antonio, Texas, in an unrelated investigation.
Hasan was pulled over during a traffic stop conducted by the United States Secret Service. At the time, police said it was part of a counterfeit currency investigation and Hasan had bought counterfeit money over the dark web.
Several months later, in January 2018, Hasan was brought back to Canada.
CROWN REJECTS MANSLAUGHTER PLEA
Hasan sat in court next to his lawyer on Monday wearing a grey suit, white shirt and glasses. His dark hair has been cut short and he now has a beard.
Hasan pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder but guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter in front of prospective jurors.
The Crown told the court they believe he’s guilty of the original charge, and thus, the trial will go on as planned.
It will start just days before the six-year anniversary of Vasilije’s death.
The judge, in their opening remarks, told prospective jurors the trial is expected to last six weeks and will include graphic images of injuries and blood.
Jury selection began on Monday and will continue Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
El Nino weakening doesn't mean cooler temperatures this summer, forecasters say
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
BREAKING 15-year-old boy stabbed Thursday in Nepean dies
A 15-year old boy who was critically injured after a stabbing in Nepean on Thursday has died of his injuries, Ottawa's English public school board said Sunday.
Dash cam catches moment suspected drunk driver hits parked car, sends it careening into North Shore flower shop
Police say it’s fortunate no one was injured or killed in a collision at North Vancouver’s Park and Tilford shopping centre Saturday evening that sent one vehicle careening into a flower shop and another into a set of concrete barriers outside a Winners store.
Nylander defends Leafs' core after playoff exit, Toronto again picks up the pieces
The Maple Leafs battled back from a 3-1 series deficit against the Boston Bruins with consecutive 2-1 victories - including one that required extra time - in their first-round playoff series to push the club's Original Six rival to the limit before suffering a devastating Game 7 overtime loss.
Amid climate change warnings, Canadians lukewarm on electric vehicles
Amid scientists' warnings that nations need to transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate change, Canadians are still lukewarm on electric vehicles, according to a study conducted by Nanos Research for CTV News.
Three dead, two hospitalized, following collision in Fredericton: police
Three people have died and two have been hospitalized after a speeding car struck a tree and landed on another vehicle in Fredericton Sunday morning.
Montreal man on the hook for thousands of dollars after a feature on his Tesla caused an accident
A Montreal man is warning Tesla drivers about using the Smart Summon feature after his vehicle hit another in a parking lot.
Madonna's biggest-ever concert transforms Rio's Copacabana beach into a massive dance floor
Madonna put on a free concert on Copacabana beach Saturday night, turning Rio de Janeiro's vast stretch of sand into an enormous dance floor teeming with a multitude of her fans.
Mexican authorities say thieves killed 2 Australians and an American to steal their truck
Thieves killed two Australians and an American on a surfing trip to Mexico in order to steal their truck, particularly because they wanted the tires, authorities said Sunday.