Trial date to be set for accused cop killer

Richard Kachkar is shown in an undated photo taken from a Facebook page. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Facebook)

A trial date is expected to be set Wednesday for the man accused of running down and killing Toronto police Sgt. Ryan Russell.

A first-degree murder trial for Richard Kachkar is expected to take place sometime in 2012. The trial date is being set after a judge ruled there is enough evidence to proceed to trial after a weeks-long preliminary hearing that began in November.

Kachkar is accused of killing Russell, who was fatally struck by a stolen snowplow near Avenue Road and Davenport Road on Jan. 12.

Kachkar, formerly a resident of St. Catharines, was shot by police and arrested after Russell was fatally struck while trying to stop the plow during a chase through snow- and slush-covered streets.

Russell is survived by his widow and young son.

Ontario's Special Investigations Unit cleared police in the shooting of Kachkar, finding no wrongdoing.

The SIU said four officers discharged their Tasers at Kachkar through an open side window, but he accelerated moments later and pinned an officer's leg between the snow plow and a garbage truck on Keele Street, south of Annette Street. That's when one of the officers opened fire.

Kachkar is also charged with two counts of attempted murder.