Axel Rudakubana once again refused to engage with Liverpool Crown Court during a plea and preparation hearing on his charges of murder and attempted murder this afternoon.
Rudakubana, now 18, appeared via video link from HMP Belmarsh for the proceedings.
He is accused of the murders of Alice Aguilar, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Bebe King, following a brutal attack on Hart Street in July. The charges against him include three counts of murder, 10 counts of attempted murder, and one count of possessing a bladed article.
Additionally, Rudakubana faces separate charges for possessing information that could be useful to someone preparing an act of terrorism and preparing a biological toxin, specifically ricin.
When asked by Mr. Justice Goose to confirm his identity, Rudakubana continued to conceal his face with his grey prison-issue jumper. A prison officer present confirmed that the audio from the hearing was audible in Rudakubana’s room.
Since he was arrested, Rudakubana has refused to speak on every occasion where he has publicly appeared in court.
He was not asked to enter a plea, which is expected to take place during an arraignment hearing scheduled for December 12.
Prosecutor Deanna Heer KC told the court that if Rudakubana pleads not guilty, the trial is anticipated to last four to six weeks, which, if required, is currently scheduled for January.
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