A judge has ruled that a Toronto neurosurgeon charged with killing his physician wife will have to stand trial.
Dr. Mohammed Shamji, 40, is charged with first-degree murder and committing an indignity to human remains.
The body of Dr. Elana Fric-Shamji was discovered stuffed in a suitcase on the side of the road in Kleinburg, Ont., north of Toronto, more than a year ago.
Police believe the 40-year-old mother of three young children was murdered in her home on either Nov. 30, 2016 or Dec. 1, 2016. An autopsy revealed Fric-Shamji died of strangulation and blunt force trauma.
Shamji was arrested the day after his wife’s body was found.
On Friday morning, Shamji appeared in front of a judge in a North York courtroom to hear the ruling.
Nearly a dozen of Fric-Shamji’s relatives were also in attendance wearing purple ribbons to raise awareness about domestic violence.
The victim’s parents, Ana and Jo Fric, told CTV Toronto’s Tracy Tong they were satisfied with the proceedings.
“That’s what we were waiting for,” Ana Fric said. “Justice for us, for the kids.”
“She’s six feet down in the grave, but we’re her voice. She keeps, like, telling us, ‘Mom, keep fighting. Keep fighting. Let justice be done.’”
Along with the help of extended family, Ana and Jo Fric have been caring for their daughter’s three children. The grandparents said the young children miss their mother.
“I’m not speaking only as a mother that lost a daughter. Kids lost a mom. Kids, you know,” Ana Fric said.
The judge said the date for the trial will be set on April 6.
Shamji has been in custody since his arrest. He was refused bail in August.
None of the allegations has been tested in court.
With files from CP24 and CTV Toronto
