Legal arguments underway for 4 girls accused in death of homeless Toronto man

Lawyers began what are expected to be several days of legal arguments on Monday in the case of four girls scheduled to face trial this year over their alleged role in a deadly group attack on a homeless man in Toronto.

The teens are part of a group that police allege swarmed and stabbed Kenneth Lee, a 59-year-old man who was living in the city's shelter system, in December 2022.

Eight girls, ranging in age from 13 to 16 were arrested in the hours after Lee's death.

All of them were charged with second-degree murder, and four have since pleaded guilty to lesser charges of manslaughter or assault.

A judge-only trial is scheduled this month for two of the remaining girls on charges of second-degree murder.

The other two are set to be tried by a judge and jury in May, one for second-degree murder and the other for manslaughter.

All four of the girls headed to trial were initially supposed to have their case decided by a jury, but two of them recently switched to a judge-alone trial after the Crown and judge agreed to a request from their lawyers.

The cases have been split into two trials due to scheduling issues.

None of the accused can be identified because they are underage.

None of the evidence or arguments presented at this week's hearings can be disclosed due to a publication ban. Submissions are expected to continue all week.