As the trial for Nathaniel Veltman begins, the lawyer for the 22-year-old pleaded not guilty to four-counts of first-degree murder and one of attempted-murder.

The Afazaals were out for a walk on the evening of June 6, 2021 in suburban London, when they were hit by a vehicle.

15-year-old Yumnah Afzaal, her parents 46-year-old Salman Afzaal and 44-year-old Madiha Salman and 74-year-old grandmother Talat Afzaal were killed.

A nine-year-old boy survived.

The murder charges Veltman faces also include terrorism counts, meaning the Crown has to prove the actions were planned and deliberate as well as motivated by a political, religious or ideological cause.

It’s alleged he was motivated by anti-Muslim hate.

Leaders of the National Council of Canadian Muslims and the Muslim community in London said outside court they’re hoping justice will be served.

The reasons the trial was moved to the border city are covered by a publication ban.

The trial’s expected to last about 12-weeks.