Marco Muzzo's defence needs time to decide how he will plead

After appearing in court this morning, Marco Muzzo's defence team said it's too early to decide how he'll plead to impaired driving and other charges laid against him after a fatal crash that killed four people last Sunday in Vaughan. 

The 29-year-old from King Township remained in custody after a brief court appearance Friday. He was transported to the Newmarket courthouse in an Ontario Provincial Police van. Wearing a black T-shirt and jeans, he appeared for less than five minutes.

Brian Greenspan, Muzzo's lawyer, took some questions from reporters after expressing condolences from the accused and his family. He described the deaths from the crash as "a tragic situation," and said the Muzzo family "extends its condolences to the families involved."​

When asked how the 29-year-old would plead to 18 charges, including impaired driving and dangerous driving causing death, Greenspan said: "That's premature. It's not an appropriate question at this stage."

The lawyer added his client's defence only received disclosure from police that morning and would need time to evaluate the information so they "can make a proper and intelligent evaluation of the circumstances surrounding this tragedy."

Muzzo's next court date was set for Oct. 19, when Muzzo will find out if he is granted bail. 

Early courtroom entrance

CBC News has learned the Muzzo family got into the courthouse at 7:30 a.m. Friday, well before the time when doors open to the public at 8:15 a.m. Court security admitted the early entrance was a rare occurrence. 

Muzzo's mother and his fiancée were accompanied by five private security guards. 

The Muzzo family owns the construction company Marel Contractors and are worth nearly $1.8 billion, according to Canadian Business magazine.

Last Sunday, Muzzo's black SUV and a minivan collided at the intersection of Kirby Road and Kipling Avenue, north of Kleinburg, Ont. A third vehicle was also involved in the crash. 

Three children and their grandfather, members of the Neville-Lake family, were killed in the collision.

Candlelight vigils were held Thursday for Daniel Neville-Lake, 9, his brother Harrison, 5, their sister Milly, 2, and 65-year-old Gary Neville.

Two public visitations will be held this Sunday in Brampton to honour the four relatives killed in the crash.