Canada- Julia Ferguson, 29, Toronto, fatally stabbed at downtown law firm, 2 Sept 2021 *arrest*

[dotr]

29-year-old woman dies in hospital after being stabbed at Toronto law office
''TORONTO -- A 29-year-old woman who was stabbed at a Toronto law office has died in hospital and a 33-year-old man in custody now stands accused of her murder, police say.

Just before 2 p.m. on Thursday, police said two males entered 238 King Street East, the offices of Hicks Adams LLP, a law firm specializing in criminal defence.

A woman, now identified as Julia Ferguson, suffered a critical stab wound and was rushed to a hospital trauma centre without vital signs.''

''Police said a suspect fled the scene and later surrendered to police.

He was identified on Monday as Osman Osman of Toronto. Police would not comment on the suspect's connection to Ferguson or the law firm.''

Osman was initially charged with aggravated assault and attempted murder, and investigators say those charges will be upgraded due to Ferguson’s death.

 

[dotr]

rbbm.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toro...owntown-law-firm-dies-from-injuries-1.6165902
''Ferguson's friend, Jessica Zita, told CBC News that there had never been "an event so universally jarring in our legal community."

"The shockwaves are unprecedented. This, coupled with the fact that Jules was just so widely adored. Her positive aura was infectious — she made everyone around her feel good, safe. This unfathomable act of violence could not have happened to someone more beloved than her."

Hicks said that although no details about the motive for the attack had emerged, it was "not personal in any way."

He said Ferguson was "a very sweet person and kind to everyone."

 

[dotr]

rbbm.
Toronto law firm receptionist dies after being stabbed at work
''A decade after moving from her hometown of London, Ont., to Toronto to work, Julia Ferguson excelled in the beauty industry but wanted a career change.

A couple of years ago she landed a job as a receptionist at Hicks Adams LLP, one of Toronto’s largest and best known criminal defence firms with a roster of more than a dozen lawyers.

“She always had an interest in law and got into this profession to see how she’d like it and she flourished,” her older brother, Chris Ferguson, said Monday. “She took on all kinds of different roles because they saw she was capable.”

“The business, the law office was targeted, but I can’t get into anything more specific than that, whether she was specifically targeted or anyone else,” Homicide Det.-Sgt Tiffany Castell said Monday.

She declined to say how the incident unfolded nor confirm whether the man was represented by any of the firm’s lawyers.''

 

[dotr]

Seems not very long ago that a Toronto lawyer was murdered by
a disgruntled person.
Canada- Scott Andrew Rosen, 52, Hit & Run homicide, Toronto (Mt Pleasant/Eglinton) 18 Dec. 2020

 

[dotr]

 

[dotr]

Has it become dangerous to be an Ontario lawyer? Killings spark concern in legal community

By Betsy Powell
Sept. 11, 2021
''The tire iron that landed on the boardroom floor of Neha Chugh’s law office in Cornwall, Ont., got her thinking about safety. But she got serious this past week after the murder of a Toronto legal receptionist at her downtown workplace.

Looking back on her 10 years of practice, Chugh can recall being threatened by clients and witnesses, “and brushing it off, trying to appear tough.”

 

[dotr]

Oct 12 2021
Suspect now faces upgraded 1st-degree murder charge after woman stabbed at Toronto law office - Toronto | Globalnews.ca
''More than a month after Toronto police say a 29-year-old woman was fatally stabbed at a downtown law office, investigators have announced the suspect in custody is now facing a first-degree murder charge.

A spokesperson for the service told Global News the investigation into a stabbing at Hicks Adams LLP on King Street East near Sherbourne Street in September has been “ongoing” and that “further evidence was uncovered that supported the upgraded charge.”

Officers didn’t specify what specifically was found by investigators.''

''Meanwhile, officers said the accused made a court appearance at a downtown Toronto court on Tuesday and was again remanded into custody.''

 

[dotr]

Mentally ill man not criminally responsible for killing Toronto legal receptionist Julia Ferguson

Prosecutors agreed Osman Osman was suffering from a psychotic episode when he fatally stabbed receptionist Julia Ferguson at a well-known downtown Toronto law firm.

www.thestar.com

May 6, 2024

Julia Ferguson was stabbed to death at her downtown Toronto law firm on Sept. 3.
By Betsy PowellCourts Reporter

''A man who was suffering from a psychotic episode when he fatally stabbed receptionist Julia Ferguson at a well-known downtown Toronto law firm has been found not criminally responsible for her death.''

''Court was told Monday that as Osman attacked Ferguson, he felt like he was “stabbing air” and only knew “something” had happened because the knife was red. He went to 51 Division not to turn himself in but because he was seeking help for his bleeding hand.''

 

[LadyL]

well that's disturbing
Julia may be another victim of our mess of a mental health system
I wonder what the details are - like was the suspect in treatment etc.
RIP Julia