Thursday, May 2, 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

A mother knocked to the ground and her child in Chinatown assault: VPD

A mother knocked to the ground and her child in Chinatown assault: VPD
As VPD officers responded, the suspect took off running through Chinatown, striking a 40-year-old mother and her toddler who were standing on the south side of East Pender, near Gore Avenue. The mom was knocked to the ground and struck her head. The child suffered multiple scrapes.

A mother knocked to the ground and her child in Chinatown assault: VPD

Canada's inflation rate climbs to 8.1% in June as gas prices soared

Canada's inflation rate climbs to 8.1% in June as gas prices soared
The June inflation rate was up from 7.7 per cent in May and marked the largest yearly change since January 1983. With public health restrictions easing and more people looking to travel in June, the cost of travel-related services surged. Prices for accommodation rose by about 50 per cent across the country compared with a year ago.

Canada's inflation rate climbs to 8.1% in June as gas prices soared

Attorney General David Eby set to make his intention to run for BC NDP leader official

Attorney General David Eby set to make his intention to run for BC NDP leader official
Eby is a high-profile politician and recently took over the ICBC file, launched a public inquiry into money laundering in BC, and has been at the forefront of dealing with the housing crisis. 

Attorney General David Eby set to make his intention to run for BC NDP leader official

Man dresses up as fake cop and demands money from driver: North Van RCMP

Man dresses up as fake cop and demands money from driver: North Van RCMP
"It is alarming to us anytime someone pretends to be a police officer. Especially in our situation where that person tried to use that position to take money from someone," said Corporal Melissa Jongema.

Man dresses up as fake cop and demands money from driver: North Van RCMP

Trudeau rips Hockey Canada over sex assault fund

Trudeau rips Hockey Canada over sex assault fund
Hockey Canada has been under intense scrutiny since May when news broke that the organization quietly settled a lawsuit filed by a woman who alleges she was assaulted by eight unnamed players, including members of the country's 2018 world junior team, following a gala in London, Ont., four years ago.

Trudeau rips Hockey Canada over sex assault fund

26 year old Toronto man, Pardeep Brar, shot inside a nightclub dies in hospital

26 year old Toronto man, Pardeep Brar,  shot inside a nightclub dies in hospital
There is no suspect information at this time. The victim has been identified as Pardeep Brar, 26, of Brampton. Any witnesses who were in the nightclub at the time of the shooting, or anyone with information or video of the shooting is asked to contact police

26 year old Toronto man, Pardeep Brar, shot inside a nightclub dies in hospital