Maple Batalia murder trial set to begin today
Almost 4 years after being charged ex-boyfriend to finally stand trial on shooting death of 19-year-old
A murder trial is set to begin today in the case of Maple Batalia, the 19-year-old SFU student who was gunned down in the school's Surrey parkade four years ago.
Batalia's ex-boyfriend, Gary Gurjinder Dhaliwal is charged with first degree murder, while another man — Gursimar Bedi — is charged with accessory after the fact and manslaughter. Both men will be tried together.
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Batalia was shot Sept. 28, 2011 while walking to her car after a late night study session with friends. The aspiring actress and model died of her injuries in hospital a short time later.
Batalia's family says the slow court process has been difficult for them. Last year they started an online petition entitled "Justice for Maple" asking for better victim support and the outlawing of delay tactics often used by accused to postpone a trial, such as switching lawyers.
Dhaliwal was charged in December 2012 and his trial was originally supposed to go ahead a year ago.
With files from Stephanie Mercier