One of two men charged in the fatal shooting of an innocent bystander on Yonge Street earlier this year has been denied bail.
Ontario Superior Court Justice David McCombs said he did not deny bail because Awet Zekarias is considered a flight risk or threat to public safety, but refused to free the 23-year-old because he felt doing so "would bring the justice system into disrepute."
"Guns have become a scourge in our community," McCombs said in his ruling. "People have become justifiably fearful that gunfire may erupt at any time, even in crowded, popular areas frequented by law-abiding citizens. The public has a right to expect its courts act firmly and decisively in the face of brazen, callous and outrageous conduct such as that alleged here."
McCombs said detention in the case was necessary "in order to maintain confidence in the administration of justice."
Zekarias and Edward Parades, 22, are both charged with first-degree murder and attempted murder in connection to the Jan. 12 slaying of John O'Keefe.
The 42-year-old father of a young boy was shot in the head while walking down Yonge Street. Police say two patrons who were ejected from the Brass Rail strip club that night had returned with a handgun. A bullet fired outside the club, which investigators say was intended for a bouncer, struck O'Keefe in the head.
Friends and supporters of the victim praised Thursday's ruling to keep Zekarias behind bars. They are also pushing for a ban on handguns.
"This was a heinous crime and needs to be dealt with in the strongest possible way," said friend Jennifer Allen.
Zekarias' father left the courthouse without commenting to the media. One of the accused's friends told reporters, "It's not justice."
Defence lawyer Howard Goldkind said his client should have been granted bail "based on his good background, his excellent family support, their strong, strong roots in the community and ties, and (because he has) no history of any trouble ever."
According to court documents, Zekarias is not alleged to have fired the bullet, but encouraged his friend to pull the trigger.
The alleged murder weapon was a handgun legally registered to Parades. He has not yet applied for bail.
McCombs is the same judge who denied bail to a teenaged girl in the New Year's Day stabbing death of 14-year-old Stefanie Rengel. In that ruling, McCombs also said freeing the accused would have brought the administration of justice into "disrepute" and "undermine public confidence in the justice system."
Goldkind suggested the public outrage following the Boxing Day 2005 slaying of 15-year-old Jane Creba, who was caught in the crossfire of a gang shootout while shopping on Yonge Street, is the basis for the judge's decisions.
With a report from CTV Toronto's Chris Eby
