Police are investigating allegations someone brought a firearm into a Vancouver courtroom on Friday, as a jury found Ibrahim Ali guilty of first-degree murder.
The conviction concluded a nine-month trial over the killing of a young teen girl whose body was found in Burnaby’s Central Park in July 2017. The victim’s identity is protected by a publication ban.
In a sworn affidavit filed in B.C. Supreme Court, Ali’s lawyer Kevin McCullough said Victoria police asked him and his wife to come into a police station on Sunday.
In the document, McCullough states police advised him that someone connected to the family of the deceased teen had been in possession of a Glock gun in the courtroom on Friday and had an “intention to kill.”
McCullough had asked Justice Lance Bernard to consider moving Friday’s verdict proceedings to a more secure courtroom because he had received a “litany of death threats.”
The judge said he did not know if another courtroom was available, and the move did not take place. A request for a metal detector outside the courtroom, was also never implemented McCullough states.
The affidavit goes on to state that McCullough and co-counsel, Ben Lynskey have been receiving constant threats since the death of Dr. Tracey Pickett.
Pickett, a sexual assault expert testifying for the Crown, was in the middle of cross examination when she was found dead near her home in September.
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At the time, Vancouver police said no foul play was suspected, but no details have been released regarding the circumstances of her death.
On Monday, Ali’s defence team filed a notice of appeal asking for a new trial on 25 separate grounds.
Global News has been unable to reach Victoria police for comment.
Vancouver police have confirmed they are aware of an allegation a weapon was brought into the courtroom and are currently conducting an investigation.
With files from Rumina Daya
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