Friday, July 26, 2024
ADVT 
National

Crown begins closing in B.C. extortion trial

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 Jul, 2022 12:25 PM
  • Crown begins closing in B.C. extortion trial

Crown and defence counsel have finished calling evidence in the British Columbia Supreme Court trial for the Dutch man accused of harassing and extorting teenager Amanda Todd before she died a decade ago.

Aydin Coban pleaded not guilty at the jury trial in New Westminster to charges of extortion, harassment, communication with a young person to commit a sexual offence and possessing child pornography.

Crown attorney Kristen LeNoble began closing arguments by telling jurors she would spend the next few days helping them "unpack" the evidence, including testimony from more than 30witnesses and binders full of 80 exhibits.

By the time the Crown is finished, LeNoble says they will have proven beyond a reasonable doubt that Coban was the person behind 22 separate online aliases used to harass and extort Todd with child pornography that depicted her.

LeNoble says Todd's harassment began just before her 13th birthday when she received a message that threatened to send a video of her to friends, family and local media.

Crown prosecutor Louise Kenworthy told the jury at the start of the trial last month that the teenager from Port Coquitlam, B.C., had been the victim of a persistent campaign of online "sextortion" over three years before her death in October 2012.

Carol Todd testified that her daughter was scared when she brought messages to her mother's attention, and Amanda's distress increased with each incident.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2022.

MORE National ARTICLES

WATCH: Darpan Your City and the BC Blueberry Council present GoBlueBC

WATCH: Darpan Your City and the BC Blueberry Council present GoBlueBC
#GoBlueBC will run online from July 15, 2022 until August 7, 2022, and gives you a chance to enter an exciting contest to win an E-Bike! To find out more about BC Blueberry farmers, recipes, restaurants featuring “bluetiful” dishes and enter the contest to win an E-Bike go to GoBlueBC.ca.

WATCH: Darpan Your City and the BC Blueberry Council present GoBlueBC

Industry could have role in national dental plan

Industry could have role in national dental plan
The Liberals set aside $5.3 billion over the next five years to launch a dental care program for uninsured low- and middle-income families. They have committed to starting with kids under the age of 12 in households with an annual income of less than $90,000 by the end of this year, with plans to extend coverage to under-18-year-olds, seniors, and persons living with disabilities in 2023.

Industry could have role in national dental plan

WATCH: Darpan Magazine showcases spectacular events in the Lower Mainland

WATCH: Darpan Magazine showcases spectacular events in the Lower Mainland
The events around town featured the best of what the City of Vancouver has to offer in terms of entertainment, culture, music and much more.  

WATCH: Darpan Magazine showcases spectacular events in the Lower Mainland

3 people dead in morning Langley shooting including gunman, shootings lasted 6 hours

3 people dead in morning Langley shooting including gunman, shootings lasted 6 hours
While police have said they are working to confirm if the victims were homeless, the attack is also drawing calls from advocates to reduce discrimination against the vulnerable population and increase safety. Two people were killed in the attacks and two others were seriously injured before the police fatally shot the suspect.

3 people dead in morning Langley shooting including gunman, shootings lasted 6 hours

Gursimran Sahota and Tanvir Khakh of Surrey arrested and charged in Whistler shooting

Gursimran Sahota and Tanvir Khakh of Surrey arrested and charged in Whistler shooting
IHIT investigators and its partners worked continuously in processing the scene and collecting the appropriate evidence to secure these charges. 3 other individuals were arrested along with Khakh and Sahota. The extent of their involvement is still being determined.  

Gursimran Sahota and Tanvir Khakh of Surrey arrested and charged in Whistler shooting

Pope sorry for assimilation of Indigenous people

Pope sorry for assimilation of Indigenous people
The Pope said he feels sorrow, indignation and shame. He said begging forgiveness is the first step and there must be a serious investigation into what took place. Francis also called the overall effects of the policies linked to residential schools "catastrophic."

Pope sorry for assimilation of Indigenous people

PrevNext