Maple Batalia's killer, Gurjinder "Gary" Dhaliwal has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 21 years by Justice Terence Schultes.
Dhaliwal sat in the prisoner's box with no expression on his face, back straight against the glass wall which separates the court from the gallery.
Maple Batalia's sister Roseleen says she's waited a long time for this day. #cbc pic.twitter.com/qbWMGkTJ2G
— Jesse (@Jesse_Johnston) March 7, 2016
Maple Batalia's father was the first to address the court.
"My life feels useless and without purpose," said Harkirat Batalia.
#MapleBatalia's sister gives a brief statement outside of court. pic.twitter.com/o9eYfop64E
— Anita Bathe (@anitabathe) March 7, 2016
"Your actions, Gary, have denied us of a happy life. I'm left with a question of why this happened?,” he said. "My little girl will never come back, no matter what the outcome today."
Defence lawyer Simon Buck says Gary Dhaliwal pleaded guilty because "He took a good look at what he had done." #cbc pic.twitter.com/FaCsLV0LED
— Jesse (@Jesse_Johnston) March 7, 2016
According to Crown prosecutor Wendy Stephens, Dhaliwal killed Batalia because she wanted to break up with him because of repeated infidelity. Stephens said the fact the murder occurred in the context of a break-up should be considered an aggravating factor.
The co-accused in the case, Gursimar Bedi, is charged with manslaughter and accessory after the fact. His trial is set to proceed this afternoon.
