Stabbing suspect Axel Rudakubana has entered not responsible pleas for the costs of murdering three younger women — Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, and Bebe King — at a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance class in Southport, England.
The pleas had been entered on behalf of Rudakubana, 18, per the BBC and The Guardian. He appeared by way of video hyperlink at Liverpool Crown Court docket from the London jail the place he’s being held on Wednesday, Dec. 18. however refused to talk, in response to the shops.
The alleged murders befell at The Hart Area group heart on July 29 throughout the first week of the ladies’ summer time trip from college, per The Guardian.
He additionally entered not responsible pleas for the tried homicide of 10 different individuals, together with eight youngsters, and to extra prices associated to possessing the poison ricin and for having an Al Qaeda guide, stories the outlet.
On the time of the alleged knife assault, Rudakubana — who was born in Wales to Rwandan Christian mother and father — was aged simply 17, per the outlet. He was arrested shortly afterward.
The L.A. Times stories Wednesday’s court docket date was the primary time Rudakubana has not obscured his face along with his clothes whereas showing in court docket. Decide Mr Justice Goose mentioned Rudakubana was a “mute of malice” — a authorized time period for a defendant who refuses to talk and interact, per BBC.
Need to sustain with the most recent crime protection? Join PEOPLE’s free True Crime e-newsletter for breaking crime information, ongoing trial protection and particulars of intriguing unsolved instances.
The BBC provides that the defendant “rocked backward and forward” throughout the listening to and sometimes bowed his head.
The choose set the trial date for Jan. 20. and mentioned it was anticipated to last as long as 4 weeks, per the outlet.
Following the incident in July, Taylor Swift issued a heartfelt assertion by way of her Instagram Tales, saying she was at a “full loss” at what had occurred.
“The horror of yesterday’s assault in Southport is washing over me repeatedly, and I am simply fully in shock… The lack of life and innocence, and the horrendous trauma inflicted on everybody who was there, the households and first responders.”
“These had been simply little youngsters at a dance class,” the 35-year-old added. “I’m at a whole loss for the best way to ever convey my sympathies to those households.”