Teen pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of homeless Toronto man

The Canadian Press

June 17, 2024 at 1:07 p.m.·1 min read

TORONTO — A third girl accused in the death of a homeless Toronto man pleaded guilty on Monday.

The teen, who was 13 at the time of the incident, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Kenneth Lee.

Police have alleged Lee, who was 59 and living in the city's shelter system, died after he was swarmed and stabbed by a group of girls in December 2022.

Eight girls between the ages of 13 and 16 were arrested shortly afterward and charged with second-degree murder.

A judge recently committed six of them to stand trial on second-degree murder and two on the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Two other girls have previously pleaded guilty in the case — one to manslaughter and the other to assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon.

A fourth girl was expected to plead guilty Monday but her lawyer requested more time to decide whether she would plead or proceed with a trial in Superior Court. She is due back in court Wednesday to relay her decision.

The court has not heard what charge she initially was expected to plead to.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 17, 2024.

The Canadian Press

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