The man facing charges in connection with a machete attack at a Vancouver gas station told a B.C. Supreme Court judge his case involves organized crime syndicates and police corruption.
Leslie Dale Chudek, 61, faces charges of aggravated assault, assault, uttering threats and dangerous vehicle operation.
He was due to go to trial starting Feb. 28 but the dates were cancelled after he fired his lawyer Feb. 3.
The incident happened around 6:30 a.m. June 1, 2022 at a gas station at 3502 East Hastings St.
The Vancouver Police Department (VPD) said the incident started when a man used his car to ram a pedestrian on the gas station's property.
"He then got out of the car, and allegedly chased several people while holding a knife and a machete," the VPD said in a news release. "He reportedly punched a passerby, then turned his attention back to the pedestrian, stabbing him on the neck and back."
Much of the incident was caught on video.
Police arrived as the suspect allegedly tried to steal a motorbike parked near the gas station's exit.
The stabbing victim was taken to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The man who was punched was treated on scene.
Chudek has been in custody since the incident, Justice Jennifer Duncan heard Feb. 7.
Chudek told the judge he wants to find out what his defence options are. He called his case “high profile” and told Duncan it involves organized crime syndicates, a large, well-known gang and police corruption.
Chudek said he wants legal counsel that can deal with those issues and would like to have greater access to legal material at North Fraser Pre-Trial Centre where he is being held.
“I’ve been basically left in the dark since I’ve been incarcerated,” he told the court.
Chudek is mentally fit to stand trial, a Vancouver provincial court judge heard June 28.
