Overview
- Closing submissions began Friday in Abbotsford as the Crown argued a circumstantial case for first-degree murder against Gurkaran Singh, Abhijeet Singh and Khushveer Toor.
- Prosecutors said Abhijeet Singh bought rope, wipes and a softball bat before the invasion, with Joanne De Jong’s DNA later found on the bat recovered from the trio’s vehicle.
- Data from Abhijeet Singh’s phone showed a prior Google lookup of the De Jongs’ address and, after news reports of the deaths, searches about murder punishments, self-defence and “third-degree murder sentence for international students.”
- The Crown pointed to additional forensic and physical links, including a fingerprint on a patio door attributed to Gurkaran Singh and a bloody bedsheet shoe print consistent with footwear linked to Khushveer Toor.
- Prosecutors alleged a financial motive, citing rapid efforts to pay bills, cash cheques exceeding $10,000 and attempt a fraudulent transfer in Arnold De Jong’s name, with the men leaving B.C. for Brampton shortly after the killings; defence submissions are set for next week.