Closing arguments have wrapped up in the murder trial of a Lower Mainland man accused of killing his girlfriend while holidaying in the Okanagan in July 2018.
Court heard that things between the couple turned sour after the accused, Tejwant Danjou, and the victim, Rama Gauravarapu, got into an argument while they were winetasting at Mission Hill winery.
Back at the hotel, Danjou bludgeoned Rama Gauravarapu to death with a broken wine bottle.
Crown and defence lawyers largely agree on many facts in this case.
However, the issue is the intent behind the killing and whether it was manslaughter or murder.
At the very beginning of the trial, Danjou stood up in court and admitted to second-degree murder.
In a surprise move, he later took back his guilty plea, saying that he never intended to kill Gauravarapu.
Defence lawyer Donna Turko is arguing that Danjou should be found guilty of manslaughter.
He has been diagnosed with a delusional disorder of the jealous type and believed Gauravarapu was having an affair, Turko said.
When Danjou was found in a dumpster after the victim’s death, he had a vacant stare and, even after being charged in her killing, still appeared to be more concerned about proving his girlfriend was cheating on him, she added.
However, the Crown argued that Danjou did intend to kill Gauravarapu, saying that at the time of the incident he was acting purposefully and had no evidence of impairment.
The prosecution said the victim died because of a vicious and prolonged attack: the autopsy showed 52 different injuries, including many lacerations to her head and neck.
The judge is expected to give her verdict on whether Danjou is guilty of manslaughter or second-degree murder on Aug. 13.
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