Man accused in fatal pushing attack on woman in Toronto refuses to appear in court
The man accused of fatally shoving an 89-year-old woman in downtown Toronto refused to appear in court Wednesday and remains in custody pending a bail hearing.
Ryan Cunneen, 37, has been charged with manslaughter. The charge was upgraded from aggravated assault on Tuesday following an autopsy on the victim.
Cunneen, who has no fixed address, was arrested Friday after the incident near Yonge and King streets around 11:40 a.m.
On Tuesday, the suspect appeared in court by video from a holding cell. During that appearance, the judge read a list of people Cunneen was to stay away from.
Cunneen told the court he was tired and closed his eyes at time.
At the end he gave a "Thumb’s up," appearing happy to be leaving the court.
On Wednesday, when Cunneen refused to appear, someone in the court noted he was able to hear the proceedings over the phone.
Ryan Cunneen, 37, of Toronto has been charged with manslaughter after a woman he allegedly pushed to the ground died of her injuries. (CTV News Toronto/ Alexandra Newbould)
Police have called the attack unprovoked, and said the woman had serious face and head injuries before dying. Security video from inside a nearby restaurant shows the woman fall forcefully to the ground, before a suspect is seen running.
Meanwhile, CTV News Toronto has obtained court documents showing Cunneen previously faced one count of assault, dating back to February 2020.
Court staff said he was arrested in October 2020 in relation to that incident and released on an undertaking, meaning he promised the officer he would appear in court.
Staff said he went to court with a few appearances on that charge, until he got a bench warrant for his arrest on May 2021. These are issued when an accused repeatedly doesn’t appear for court appearances.
According to officials, he missed court appearances on April and May 2021.
Staff said on Jan. 20, after Cunneen was arrested in connection with the woman being pushed downtown, police then looked at information and fingerprints, linking him to the previous 2020 incident.
None of the allegations in court have been proven.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.