Subway stabbing suspect appears in court
The man accused of stabbing a passenger on a TTC subway train last week, Cassim Cummings, appeared in court today, with his mother and aunt in the room supporting him.
Cummings, 20, is facing a number of charges including attempted murder and aggravated assault and has been remanded into custody until March 12.
He wore an orange jumpsuit and sat quietly in the courtroom, the CBC's Jasmin Seputis reported.
His lawyer, Warren Singer, said: "His mother was in court, his aunt was in court, supportive of him... naturally there are heartfelt sympathies all around, and they just as well want to assess some of the information that's been provided to me today."
Cummings' mother and aunt did not want to comment.
Singer said he requested medical attention for Cummings, but refused to elaborate, Seputis reported.
Singer also said he was concerned that Cummings has been placed in the "hole," which is a harsh part of the jail.
Police officers, who were in court Monday monitoring the case, said they don't have evidence of mental health issues. However, that does not indicate these issues do not exist, but police have yet to receive that information, Seputis reported.
On Wednesday just after 10 p.m., Cummings allegedly stabbed a male passenger on a southbound train as it approached Davisville station. The passenger was trying to get his alleged attacker to stop bothering other riders.
Photos taken by another passenger show the victim bleeding on the floor of the train as paramedics arrive to help.
Cummings allegedly fled the scene.
Police arrested him on Friday morning in an apartment at 250 Davenport Rd.
Police have not identified the man who was stabbed, but say he is expected to recover.
On Friday, the stabbing victim released a statement from his hospital bed, thanking the passengers who came to his aid.
"My family and I wish to publicly thank those individuals who came to my aid and offered help to a complete stranger. It is with sincere appreciation that I offer this thanks to those who put my life ahead of their own personal safety," he wrote.
"For that I am grateful and hope their actions serve as a reminder that people in this city still care and that a strong sense of community was evident that night in the subway."