Jury selection starts today in the trial of 22-year-old Nathaniel Veltman, who is accused of killing four members of the Afzaal family in 2021 in London, Ontario. He allegedly struck them down with a pickup truck while they were out for an evening walk. Police believe Veltman targeted the family because of their Muslim faith. The trial, however, won’t be in London but in Windsor, about 200 kilometres southwest. A judge approved the move to ensure an impartial jury pool.
The trial is being watched around the world as a case study in the application of Canadian terror charges. To meet the criteria set out in the Criminal Code of Canada, the Crown must prove that Veltman’s acts were motivated by “a political, religious or ideological purpose, objective or cause.” Material collected by the RCMP to support the theory, previously sealed under a publication ban, will likely emerge during the trial.
Last year, the journalist Steven Maher spent many weeks in London for Maclean’s learning about Nathaniel Veltman, how he grew up and the forces that influenced his worldview. Maher’s brilliant reporting led to the story “An Act of Evil,” which was nominated for a National Magazine Award and provides a chilling account of a troubled mind. It’s the definitive account of Veltman’s life, a rich portrait of the London Muslim community, and the only thing you need to read to understand what’s happening this week in Windsor.
—Sarah Fulford, editor-in-chief
