Friday, April 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

Canada confirms 604 cases of monkeypox

Canada confirms 604 cases of monkeypox
The cases included 320 from Quebec, 230 from Ontario, 40 from British Columbia, 12 from Alberta and two from Saskatchewan. The Canadian federal government said on Wednesday that it will fund to support community-based organisations in addressing monkeypox.

Canada confirms 604 cases of monkeypox

B.C. attorney general Eby announces leadership bid

B.C. attorney general Eby announces leadership bid
Eby's announcement ends weeks of speculation as other high-profile New Democrats have bowed out of this fall's leadership election, with the winner set to be announced on Dec. 3. Premier John Horgan announced last month he would resign due to health reasons, following two bouts with cancer, paving the way for a new leader.

B.C. attorney general Eby announces leadership bid

Parole hearing for truck driver in Broncos crash

Parole hearing for truck driver in Broncos crash
Sidhu went through a stop sign at a rural Saskatchewan intersection and drove into the path of the junior hockey team's bus as it was on its way to a playoff game. Sidhu, who has been serving his sentence at a prison in Bowden, Alta., is asking to be released pending possible deportation.  

Parole hearing for truck driver in Broncos crash

B.C. residents warned to prepare for hot spell

B.C. residents warned to prepare for hot spell
Environment Canada says heat in the mid- to high 20s should reach the south coast and parts of the northern Interior by next week, while the Okanagan, central and southeastern B.C. could see temperatures nudging the high 30s over the same period.

B.C. residents warned to prepare for hot spell

2 car collision in Vancouver leaves 5 year old girl badly injured

2 car collision in Vancouver leaves 5 year old girl badly injured
The girl was standing on the sidewalk with her father and siblings when two cars collided in the intersection of Cornwall Avenue and Arbutus Street around 11 a.m. The vehicles then mounted the sidewalk and struck the girl. There were no other life-threatening injuries.

2 car collision in Vancouver leaves 5 year old girl badly injured

Former Surrey MLA and MP Gordie Hogg is Surrey First mayoral candidate

Former Surrey MLA and MP Gordie Hogg is Surrey First mayoral candidate
Surrey First launched its October 15 municipal election campaign today by naming former Surrey MLA and MP Gordie Hogg as its mayoral candidate, and introducing the first three of its slate of eight council nominees, including current city councillor Linda Annis, Bilal Cheema and Mary-Em Waddington.

Former Surrey MLA and MP Gordie Hogg is Surrey First mayoral candidate