Oliver Karafa makes first court appearance in Hamilton
Alleged killer Oliver Karafa made his first appearance in a Hamilton courtroom Thursday, a day after arriving back in Canada from Hungary to face murder charges.
His hair grown out long to his chin, wearing a dark sweater and his hands clasped in front of him, Karafa listened quietly as the charges were read against him.
He is accused of first-degree murder and attempted murder in the Feb. 28, 2021 shooting behind an Arvin Avenue industrial property that killed 39-year-old Tyler Pratt and seriously hurt his then-26-year-old girlfriend.
Karafa and his co-accused Yun (Lucy) Lu Li are married, it was revealed Thursday. It's not clear when the pair wed.
The young couple fled Canada within 24 hours of the shooting, first flying to Prague, Czech Republic, where The Spectator has confirmed Karafa dissolved his ownership in a medical supply company. After months on the run in eastern Europe, the pair were captured by police in Budapest, Hungary, last June.
Li quickly waived extradition and was brought back to Canada. She was released on strict bail conditions and with a $2.7-million bond in January.
Karafa, who was born in Slovakia, fought extradition, arguing in a Budapest court that he feared for his safety and right to a fair trial in Hamilton. He tried to appeal the extradition order but lost in January when the Budapest Court of Appeal upheld the extradition.
Hamilton police travelled to Hungary and escorted Karafa back to Canada, arriving back in Hamilton March 30.
In court Thursday, Karafa appeared by video from the Hamilton police central station holding. He will be transferred to jail pending a bail hearing and trial.
Karafa is being represented by defence attorney Leora Shemesh.
A standard publication ban was imposed.
According to the courts in Budapest, Karafa is the alleged shooter. Li is accused of being party to the offences.
The shooting happened during a business meeting between the two couples at the secluded industrial property, police have alleged.
In court Thursday, Karafa was ordered to have no contact with 32 people, including family of the victims and witnesses in the case.
Both Karafa and Li return to court April 5.
Nicole O'Reilly is a crime and justice reporter at The Spectator. noreilly@thespec.com