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Bail granted to 1 of 8 teen girls charged with murder in Toronto 'swarming' death

An Ontario judge granted bail Thursdayto one of eight girls facing second-degree murder charges in the recent death of a homeless man in Toronto.

Bail hearing dates for the other 7 accused to come in the new year

An overhead shot at busy downtown Toronto intersection, where cars and people can be seen.
The swarming incident took place steps away from Union station at the York Street and University Avenue intersection near Front Street West. (Patrick Morrell/CBC)

An Ontario judgegranted bail Thursdayto one of eight girls facing second-degree murder charges in the recent death of a homeless man in Toronto.

The bail, which comes with a string of conditions, is set at $9,500 with two sureties. It's unclear which of the teens accused in the case received bail.

The other seven accused appeared in youth court at the Ontario Court of Justice Thursday morning. Each is set toreappear in court on Jan. 5,when another date will be set for their bail hearings, expectedin early February.

The teen who was granted bail must stay home except when she goes to school, is not allowed to have any weapons andcannot associate with the other teens accused or contact the victim's girlfriend.

She must also surrender her passport, cannot travel outside of the province, is prohibited from owning a cellphone and cannotgo on the internet except for school purposes.

A judge can be seen looking at a teenage girl and another woman through a screen.
Ontario Justice Maria Sirivar, left, appeared in court on Dec. 29 virtually to grant bail to one of eight teenage girls. Also pictured is defence lawyer Daisy Bygrave. The girls are charged with second-degree murder in the death of a homeless man in Toronto. (Sketch by Pam Davies)

Justice Maria Sirivarsaid she will be providing the reasons for the bail decision on Jan. 10.

Teens allegedly assaulted, stabbed man

Toronto police have said three 13-year-olds, three 14-year-olds and two 16-year-olds allegedly stabbed aman after "swarming" himin the downtown core on Dec. 18.

The identities of the accused cannot be released under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Toronto police have said three of the girls havehad previous contact with police.

The 59-year-old was taken to hospital by paramedics with life-threatening injuries and died a short time later, police have said.

Police say the victim moved into Toronto's homeless shelter system in late fall and had a supportive family system.

A witness told CBC Toronto that in the moments before the man was stabbed,thegirls tried to take her alcohol and thatthe victim protected her.

Toronto police say they are not releasing the victim's identityat this time.

With files from Alison Chiasson