Canadian porn actor accused of cannibalism in court

A CANADIAN porn actor accused of murdering and dismembering a Chinese student, then posting a video online of him eating part of the body, appeared in court yesterday as his lawyers unsuccessfully sought to close pre-trial proceedings to the press and public.

Luka Rocco Magnotta, deported from Germany after an international manhunt, watched proceedings from a glass enclosure in the packed Montreal courtroom. During two to three weeks of proceedings, prosecutors will outline the case against Magnotta, 30, and seek to persuade a judge they have enough evidence to go to trial.

Also in the courtroom was Diran Lin, father of victim Jun Lin, whose dismembered body parts were mailed to schools and political parties in Ottawa and Vancouver, in a crime that shocked Canada.

Magnotta is accused of first-degree murder, interfering with a dead body and other charges. He has pleaded not guilty.