Comm 393 Court Assignment

COMM 393-102

Court Assignment

BEAR

Section: 102

1.

Name of Case: R. V. DHILLON & RAKHRA

Date Attended: November 6th 2015

Judge Presiding: MR. JUSTICE N. SMITH

Lawyers:  Plaintiff (crown) - Brendan McCabe, Corine Longworth

                  Defendant (DHILLON & RAKHRA) - Lisa Helps, David Karp

Victim: Manraj Akalirai

Summary:        

        On the day of November 16, the trial of R. V. DHILLON & RAKHRA was held in Courtroom 54 at the Supreme Court in Vancouver which was a criminal trial in which two are being charged with the murder of a young adult, Manraj Akalirai.

        This trial was about an incident that occurred on January 24 2013 on 47th and Elgin Street in Vancouver BC. This trial consisted solely of witness direct examinations and cross-examinations with the attendance of a jury. The Crown was first cross-examining a witness, Mr. Kwon, who was a resident of the 6300 block of Elgin Street. One thing to note is that Mr. Kwon only knew how to speak Chinese so his testament was translated by an interpreter. Mr. Kwon was outside his porch around 10:30pm having a smoke when the attack ensued. Mr. Kwon who lived on Elgin Street, came to testify what he saw and heard on the dreadful night of January 24. Along with Mr. Kwon, Ms. Dutt, another resident of Elgin Street, was also called to be a witness. Witnesses had to wait outside until the other witness was done testifying so that the story of the witnesses would not be influenced at all by the first hearing. Mr. Kwon testified by answering multiple questions from the council and lawyers. He mentioned that there were three cars (SUV, and two smaller cars) in total and the sword wielding man came out the passenger side of the SUV. Ms. Dutt testified with almost all the exact same answers except she said she saw an metal iron rod as the weapon unlike Mr. Kwon who saw a sword.

         A police officer Sean Martel, who has served in the VPD for 17 years, came to the courtroom the give his testimony of what happened when the VPD arrived at the scene. In addition, officer Martel brought with him multiple exhibits for the courtroom to view and officer Martel clarified any questions that the lawyers had regarding the exhibits. Officer Martel for instance, explained to the courtroom how blood is swabbed from articles left at crime scenes and how finger prints were used to identify possible suspects.