Man accused in Quebec City mosque shooting changes lawyers

The man accused of carrying out a shooting rampage at a Quebec City mosque two months ago made another brief appearance in court Thursday morning.

Alexandre Bissonnette, 27,faces six counts of first-degree murder and five counts of attempted murder while usinga restricted firearm in connection with the attack, during which six men died and 19 others were wounded.

He appeared beforeQuebec Court Judge Jean-Louis Lemayto confirm he wanted to change lawyers.

Bissonnette was originally being represented by defence lawyer Jean Petit,who removed himself from the case. It is not known why.

Bissonnettewill now be represented by lawyers from legal aid,Charles-Olivier Gosselinand Jean-Claude Gingras.

• Complete coverage of the Quebec City mosque attack

Community members still afraid

The increased security measures in place for his previous court appearances requiring everyone going into the court to show identification and pass through metal detectors were in effect again today.

Quebec City courthouse constables initiallyrefused mosque presidentMohamedYanguientry to the hearing because he didn't bring identification, but was later allowed in.

He said he also has gone to police about three separate incidents he describes as suspicious. Onthree occasions, unfamiliar men came to the mosqueasking for money, just as the accused shooter had before theJan.29attack.

• Why accused in Quebec City mosque shooting isn't likely to face terrorism charges

Back in court in May

The courtrooms were packed for Bissonnette's two previous court appearances, but fewer people showed up for Thursday's proceedings.

Bissonnette'slawyers asked that he not be required to attend his next court date, considering the logistics involved with getting him to and from the courthouse and that the hearing will be to discuss procedure.

The judge accepted the request. The case will be back in court May 29.

• How Quebec City is mending the emotional scars left after the mosque attack