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.
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