June 21, 2013 - 2:27 PM
TORONTO - The case of a man charged with first-degree murder in the death of one of the people believed to be seen with Toronto Mayor Rob Ford in a controversial photo will be back in court next month.
Hanad Mohamed, 23, appeared via video link from a detention centre in a Toronto courtroom Friday and had his case put over until July 26, when he will again appear by video.
Mohamed was arrested in Fort McMurray, Alta., in May and is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Anthony Smith, who was shot to death outside a downtown Toronto nightclub on March 28.
Smith's slaying received extra attention after an image of Ford with his arm around a man believed to be Smith circulated along with reports that drug dealers were trying to sell an alleged video that appears to show Ford smoking crack cocaine.
Ford has denied his picture with Smith indicates he has ties to drug dealers, saying he takes pictures with everyone and has said he does not use crack cocaine nor does the alleged video exist.
Nisar Hashimi, 23, was arrested in April and also faces first-degree murder charges in Smith's death.
Mohamed's lawyer, Fariborz Davoudi, said he has not received any disclosure yet, but hopes to soon.
The trial will be a long process and his client will not yet be entering a plea, Davoudi said outside court.
"He is actually in a very unfamiliar situation. He does not have a criminal record," Davoudi said. "He is coping as well as can be expected given the circumstances."
Mohamed's father, Abdul Khadir, said his son had no involvement with the Ford scandal.
"My son and that (alleged) video — there is no connection," said Khadir. "He was working at Fort Mac, the last four years."
News from © The Canadian Press, 2013