Accused gay-basher Michael Kandola is expected to plead guilty, a judge heard during a brief court appearance Monday.
Danny Markovitz, a lawyer for the accused, told B.C. Supreme Court Justice Bill Smart that his client would plead guilty to a charge of assault causing bodily harm.
Kandola, 22, is charged with aggravated assault in connection with the September 2008 attack on Jordan Smith, 27, on Davie Street in Vancouver’s West End neighbourhood.
Smith was walking hand in hand with a male companion when he was allegedly confronted by five men, including Kandola.
Words were exchanged, with Kandola allegedly screaming obscenities before sucker-punching Smith, who suffered a broken jaw which had to be wired shut for a month.
A one-week trial with 19 anticipated witnesses was set to open April 26.
But after discussions with prosecutors, Kandola is expected to enter his plea tomorrow in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver. He is expected to make a brief appearance by video link from the Surrey Pre-Trial Services Centre, where he is being held.
Outside court, Markovitz said the issue on sentencing will be whether the assault was a hate crime.
He said he will argue that his client was not motivated by hatred for gays and added that he will seek to have Kandola sentenced to time served.
If the judge finds it was a hate crime, Kandola faces a stiffer penalty.
In February, Kandola’s bail was revoked after he was arrested late last year in connection with a $500,000 robbery at a Surrey jewelry store.
During the June 2009 robbery, Kandola is alleged to have confronted the female owner of the store, and to have jumped across a glass counter, breaking the glass and leaving his blood on the counter.
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