The suspect accused of attempted murder in a vicious knife attack on Toronto’s train system was released onto the streets shortly after failing to show up to multiple bail hearings for numerous robbery-related charges.
On July 6th, a video captured by a TTC passenger went viral, allegedly depicting Moses Lewin and another passenger engaged in a dispute before Lewin stabbed and chased his victim with a knife before fleeing the scene at Eglinton Station.
However, this incident is far from Lewin’s first run-in with the law, as records show that his criminal activity has ramped up in severity over the past year and a half. Lewin has been charged multiple times for stealing motor vehicles, breaking and entering, and failing to show up for bail hearings on multiple occasions.
According to documents obtained by CTV News, Lewin was charged in April 2022 for stealing a motor vehicle, possessing break-in instruments, and possessing 10 licence plates.
Lewin was released on bail for $500 but failed to appear at his scheduled court appearance, provoking the court to issue a bench warrant on April 26, 2022.
A few months later in June 2022, Lewin was charged in Milton, ON again for theft of a motor vehicle, breaking and entering, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, flight from a police officer, and failure to comply with a release order.
Despite Lewin having an outstanding bench warrant out for his arrest, the Milton court decided to hold Lewin for bail at $200, prompting his quick release from prison.
In November, Lewin was caught offending again, being charged with damaging windows at the Scarborough Town Centre, possessing break-in instruments, and carrying an eight-inch fishing knife as a weapon.
Lewin was released yet again, failing to show up for his January 11, 2023 court appearance.
On the day of Lewin’s alleged murder attempt on the TTC, a bench warrant was issued for his arrest by the Milton courthouse for his June 2022 break-in.
Critics claim that criminals like Lewin being released on bail to reoffend has become the norm in Canada, not the exception.
Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre has promised to deny bail to repeat violent offenders if elected Prime Minister to mitigate the crime issue in Canada’s big cities.
“If someone has committed seven or eight repeat violent offences and then is newly arrested on a new violent charge, then it’s clear that they are a danger to society and should be kept behind bars until the trial is over and their sentences complete,” said Poilievre in a press conference in May.
Some of Canada’s most high-profile criminal cases, like the Saskatchewan mass murder in September 2022 were committed by someone who was known to the criminal justice system for past violence.
