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A Toronto man guilty of killing his girlfriend in an act of “unthinkable” violence has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.
Carland Walker was convicted in October by a jury for the first-degree murder of Nabila Aminzadah – another case of intimate partner violence that is a “pervasive scourge on society,” Justice Michael Brown said as he delivered his sentence Friday.
It was just after 3 a.m. on Nov. 12, 2021, when police were called to the basement apartment on Ellesmere Road, near Morningside Road, where Walker lived with his brother.
According to evidence heard in court, when paramedics arrived, Aminzadah, 36, was lying on her back in Walker’s bedroom with bruising on her body, a swollen face, her eyes swollen shut and marks all over her body, including scars and bleeding.
They also found a broken broomstick, HDMI cable, and two darts along with packing tape with hair and blood on it.
Aminzadah was rushed to hospital where she was pronounced dead. Her cause of death was determined to be multiple blunt force and sharp force injuries.
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During his trial, Walker’s defence stated that he never meant to kill his girlfriend. He tried to plead guilty to manslaughter at the beginning of the trial, but the Crown rejected that plea.
In her sentencing submissions, assistant Crown attorney Beverley Olesko told Justice Brown that Walker used packing tape to bind her hands and legs and around her head, to prevent her from making any sound.
“To be beaten in the way she was akin to torture,” Olesko said, telling the judge at minimum there were 256 individual strikes to Aminzadah.
“He used a broomstick that he broke while beating her and used an HDMI cable to whip her. The entire event took place in the bedroom while she was confined. The level of violence was nearly unthinkable.”
In his elocution to the court at his Nov. 28 sentencing hearing, Walker told Justice Brown that Aminzadah never deserved the abuse he put her through, and reiterated what he said on the witness stand, which the jury didn’t believe.
“I didn’t want Nabila to die. I truly loved her. When I hurt her, it wasn’t love. She’s not here and it’s my fault,” said Walker.
“I am no saint and I’m the furthest thing from the hero, but I didn’t want Nabila to die. I didn’t deserve her or any of her kindness.”
Olesko said another aggravating factor was that it was intimate partner violence. She also spoke about the ripple effect of this horrific crime on first responders, nurses, Walker’s brother who was asked to call 911 and Aminzadah’s family.
Furthermore, Olesko told the judge Walker was on bail at the time for assault with a weapon. That assault did not involve Aminzadah, she said. The jury never heard about that outstanding charge.
The Crown explained that three of Aminzadah’s sisters were in court last month and attended the entire trial, planning to file victim impact statements.
Olesko said upon further reflection, they decided not to file because they didn’t want to share their pain with the public at large and they wanted to “close the chapter.”
Justice Brown said Friday he understood and respected the family’s decision, adding Aminzadah was “more than just a name on the indictment.”
“Ms. Aminzadah was loved and was a loving daughter, sister, mother, and friend. Her family is left with scars that will never heal and their lives are forever diminished,” Justice Brown said.
Justice Brown went on to speak about intimate partner violence, saying the “breach of trust” with it contributes to its harmful impacts.
“Everyone is entitled to live their lives free from fear and violence,” he said. “Ms. Aminzadah was entitled to that. Tragically she experienced both at the hands of Mr. Walker.”
After deliver his sentencing, Justice Brown also issued a no-communications order with Aminzadah’s family, a DNA order, a weapons prohibition for 10 years after release from custody and for the rest of his life.
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