Check out some photos at that initial appearance, the last I heard about the case.
The Toronto Sun's Sam Pazzano says it was rapid-fire justice as a jury took only four hours to convict Brian Dickson of first-degree murder in the “tragic death” of York University student Qian “Necole” Liu.
The jury found that the 32-year-old Dickson killed Liu by either strangling her or applying a chokehold after she spurned his sexual advances shortly after 1 a.m. on April 15, 2011.
The conviction carries an automatic life sentence with no parole for 25 years.
Dickson blinked several times as the verdict was read.
The killing was partially witnessed by Liu’s ex-boyfriend, Xian Chao Meng, who was video-chatting with her using “Tom Skype” and texting simultaneously when Dickson knocked on her door, ending their conversation.
Meng, who was living in Beijing at the time, testified that he saw Liu open the door and briefly converse with Dickson. He then shoved his way into the apartment and attempted to embrace her, he said.
Liu resisted, pushing at his chest and said “no” in both English and Mandarin, said Meng.
After two muffled bangs, he never heard another sound from the 23-year-old.
Meng saw a naked Dickson close the computer. Meng frantically sent messages to Liu’s friends to summon help. Dickson stole his victim’s computer and cellphone.
Dickson should be convicted of first-degree murder since he deliberately killed Liu after sexually assaulting her, argued Crown attorney Christine Pirraglia.
Liu’s heart-broken parents, father Jian Hui Liu and mother, Ya Ru Zheng, clutching a large portrait of Necole, thanked Canadians for their support and the police and prosecution for “their professionalism and excellent work.
“We believe the Canadian judicial system is very good and very fair. This is not simply a crime against my daughter, but also against the whole society,” said her father, speaking through a Mandarin interpreter.
“In Chinese culture, April 5 is the day we remember the people who have passed away and at this time, I have good news for my daughter,” said Liu.
“It was a very tough case, a very, very tragic case that hung on the mechanism of death,” said defence lawyer Robert Nuttall, who urged the jury to convict Dickson of manslaughter because “the precise mechanism of death is uncertain.
“It’s too early to think about appealing. Mr. Dickson was prepared for the verdict. He has been absolutely remorseful for a very long period of time.”
sam.pazzano@sunmedia.ca
Thank you Detective Frank Skubic and all the detectives at Toronto Police Homicide Squad for this.
The jury found that the 32-year-old Dickson killed Liu by either strangling her or applying a chokehold after she spurned his sexual advances shortly after 1 a.m. on April 15, 2011.
The conviction carries an automatic life sentence with no parole for 25 years.
Dickson blinked several times as the verdict was read.
The killing was partially witnessed by Liu’s ex-boyfriend, Xian Chao Meng, who was video-chatting with her using “Tom Skype” and texting simultaneously when Dickson knocked on her door, ending their conversation.
Meng, who was living in Beijing at the time, testified that he saw Liu open the door and briefly converse with Dickson. He then shoved his way into the apartment and attempted to embrace her, he said.
Liu resisted, pushing at his chest and said “no” in both English and Mandarin, said Meng.
After two muffled bangs, he never heard another sound from the 23-year-old.
Meng saw a naked Dickson close the computer. Meng frantically sent messages to Liu’s friends to summon help. Dickson stole his victim’s computer and cellphone.
Dickson should be convicted of first-degree murder since he deliberately killed Liu after sexually assaulting her, argued Crown attorney Christine Pirraglia.
Liu’s heart-broken parents, father Jian Hui Liu and mother, Ya Ru Zheng, clutching a large portrait of Necole, thanked Canadians for their support and the police and prosecution for “their professionalism and excellent work.
“We believe the Canadian judicial system is very good and very fair. This is not simply a crime against my daughter, but also against the whole society,” said her father, speaking through a Mandarin interpreter.
“In Chinese culture, April 5 is the day we remember the people who have passed away and at this time, I have good news for my daughter,” said Liu.
“It was a very tough case, a very, very tragic case that hung on the mechanism of death,” said defence lawyer Robert Nuttall, who urged the jury to convict Dickson of manslaughter because “the precise mechanism of death is uncertain.
“It’s too early to think about appealing. Mr. Dickson was prepared for the verdict. He has been absolutely remorseful for a very long period of time.”
sam.pazzano@sunmedia.ca
