The lawyer for a man accused of killing 10 people by driving a van down a busy Toronto sidewalk has asked a judge to prevent the publication of his client's statement to police.

Boris Bytensky argued to have Alek Minassian's statement placed under a publication ban until the man's trial is complete, even if it comes up during the proceedings.

Superior Court Justice Anne Molloy described the request as asking to hold a secret trial.

Trial of Toronto van attack suspect Alek Minassian to be heard by judge alone

The trial of the man accused of killing 10 people and injuring 16 others as he drove a van onto a Toronto sidewalk more than a year ago will be heard by a judge alone.

Alek Minassian's lawyer is fighting over the admissibility of a statement he gave to a booking officer shortly after his arrest.

Alek Minassian

Alek Minassian is accused of killing 10 people and injuring 16 others in a van attack on April 23, 2018. His trial is scheduled for February 2020.

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One year after the deadly van attack on Yonge Street in Toronto, the family of one of the victims and witnesses affected by it have found ways to move forward from the trauma while also helping others.

Rocco and Nick D'Amico wear bracelets that say "What would Anne Marie Do?" to remind them to be better to themselves, to each other and to the community.                                

Rocco and Nick D'Amico

Rocco D'Amico, left, and his son Nick D'Amico wear bracelets that say 'What would Anne Marie Do?' in honour Anne Marie D'Amico, one of the 10 people killed in the van attack in Toronto one year ago. The bracelets remind them to be better to themselves, to each other and to the community.                                

Minassian faces 10 counts of first-degree murder and 16 counts of attempted murder. He is set to stand trial before a judge alone next year.

Several media outlets, including CBC, are arguing against Bytensky's request for the ban.

Bytensky has argued that publishing the details would taint potential witnesses at trial, a position supported by the Crown.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Accused in Toronto van attack faces mounting lawsuits from victims with traumatic injuries

Traumatic brain injuries, spinal fractures and internal bleeding are among the litany of ailments described in a mounting number of lawsuits against a man accused of killing 10 people and injuring 16 others in a van attack in Toronto last year.

There's been a mounting number of lawsuits against Alek Minassian, the man accused of killing 10 people and injuring 16 others in a van attack in Toronto last year.

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But a lawyer for the media outlets says there is no evidence to support that argument and cites&nbsp;the open-courts principle in arguing against the ban.

Molloy has reserved her decision until Aug. 16.

Alek Minassian is accused of killing 10 people and injuring 16 others.

Lawyer for Toronto van attack accused seeks publication ban on his statement to police

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