Baldev Singh Kalsi, former president of Gurudwara Sahib Brookside temple, who was charged with attempted murder of his wife, Narinder Kalsi, is facing his sentencing hearing.
Kalsi was arrested after his wife was found in severe medical distress at their home pleaded guilty to the crime last year.
He was removed as temple president four days later. Subsequently, Kalsi was charged with one count of aggravated assault for incurring life threatening injuries to his wife which was upgraded to attempted murder.
Sentencing hearing beginning now for Baldev Kalsi. The ex-president of the Brookside Sikh Temple has already pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his wife, Narinder Kalsi, who he beat to death in July 2014. pic.twitter.com/ICwIjO52nU
— Jeremy Lye (@JJLye980) February 16, 2018
Kalsi hugged his grandchildren and grandniece led to him by their parents here. Complicated family dynamic here as you can imagine when the family patriarch kills his wife.
— Jeremy Lye (@JJLye980) February 16, 2018
Kalsi takes his seat now at the glassed-off dock, we make eye contact and I'm struck (as usual) at how nothing like a killer he looks. Old, dressed plainly in a beige jacket.
— Jeremy Lye (@JJLye980) February 16, 2018
This is a man who killed his wife of decades in their family home.
Crown and Defence both requesting 11 years less time served. However C says it wants 16 months credit (taking it to 9 years seven months), D wants more credit based on more time served.
— Jeremy Lye (@JJLye980) February 16, 2018
Also usual DNA sample and weapons ban.
— Jeremy Lye (@JJLye980) February 16, 2018
Aside here but Narinder Kalsi was beaten to death with fists, feet, and an iron.
C says marriage was violent, and says the couple were in another violent argument the day of Narinder's death.
— Jeremy Lye (@JJLye980) February 16, 2018
Baldev then struck his wife with his fists, she fell the floor where he then stomped on her. It was then when he struck her with an iron.
Correction to a previous tweet: not day of Narinder's death. She died days later when taken off life support. This was the day she was attacked.
— Jeremy Lye (@JJLye980) February 16, 2018
C tells court effects of Narinder's death "will affect generations to come." The couple's children will have to reconcile the loss of their mother with the care of their father. He will be 70 in March & in his early 80s when released if judge goes with recommendations
— Jeremy Lye (@JJLye980) February 16, 2018
Amongst the aggravating factors the C mentions is that Kalsi did not seek immediate medical attention, and that Narinder was entitled to feel safe in her home.
— Jeremy Lye (@JJLye980) February 16, 2018
Crown and defence agreed on an 11-year sentence on Friday but could not agree whether he should get 16 months or 21 months credit for time served.
Kalsi's defence asked for the lighter sentence because he was beaten while he was in pretrial custody. They argued that he suffered internal bleeding in his brain and that it should be taken into consideration.
Court also heard that Kalsi didn’t call paramedics right away, and instead drove to tell a friend his “wife is no more,” was an aggravating factor.
