Close X
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. Supreme Court Hears Audio Tape Of Arrest At Murder Trial

The Canadian Press, 04 Mar, 2020 08:38 PM

    KELOWNA, B.C. - A man accused of second-degree murderer in West Kelowna, B.C., asked for a ride to the hospital after being found by police covered in blood and hiding in a dumpster, a court heard Tuesday.

     

    Tejwant Danjou is charged with killing his common-law wife, Rama Gauravarapu, and on an audio recording of his arrest he is heard telling police officers that his heart was racing after he was hauled out of the dumpster and handcuffed.

     

    "I need to go to the hospital because my heart is beating very fast," he says on the tape played in B.C. Supreme Court.

     

    Danjou has pleaded not guilty to the charge and is being tried by judge alone.

     

    He told police he thought a police dog bit him during the arrest.

     

    "I think he bit me but that's OK. He's a dog," Danjou says.

     

    Danjou was found in a recycling dumpster near a hotel where he is alleged to have murdered Gauravarapu on July 22, 2018.

     

    On the tape, he appears to give contradictory answers when asked if he understands that he is being arrested for homicide.

     

    "Maybe," Danjou says.

     

    "What is homicide?" he asks moments later.

     

    RCMP Const. Rick Goodwin, the arresting officer, tells him that homicide involves the killing of a person and is asked again if he understands. Danjou replies: "No."

     

    Goodwin was one of first officers to respond to the Best Western Plus Wine Country Hotel after reports of a disturbance in one of its rooms.

     

    He testified that Danjou did not appear agitated after being found in the dumpster.

     

    "His demeanour seemed perfectly calm at the time," Goodwin said.

     

    The Crown alleges that Danjou killed Gauravarapu after the couple had been at Mission Hill Family Estate Winery earlier that day. They lived in the Lower Mainland where Danjou was a real estate agent and Gauravarapu was a financial planner.

     

    During opening statements last week, the Crown alleged that the relationship was a troubled one characterized by Danjou's jealousy and excessive drinking.

     

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Man Makes Surprise Guilty Plea At Start Of Second-degree Murder Trial In B.C.

    Man Makes Surprise Guilty Plea At Start Of Second-degree Murder Trial In B.C.
    KELOWNA, B.C. - A murder suspect startled his own lawyer when he pleaded guilty in a Kelowna, B.C., courtroom on Tuesday.

    Man Makes Surprise Guilty Plea At Start Of Second-degree Murder Trial In B.C.

    B.C. Making Preparations To Tackle Coronavirus Now Present In 39 Countries

    VICTORIA - British Columbia's provincial health officer says plans are in the works to expand the province's battle against the novel coronavirus, which has been diagnosed in seven people.    

    B.C. Making Preparations To Tackle Coronavirus Now Present In 39 Countries

    Acceptance Of Cash Deposits Rare In Real Estate, Money Laundering Inquiry Hears

    Acceptance Of Cash Deposits Rare In Real Estate, Money Laundering Inquiry Hears
    VANCOUVER - The organization representing real estate agents in British Columbia has told a provincial inquiry into money laundering that its members have only ever accepted modest cash deposits in rare circumstances.    

    Acceptance Of Cash Deposits Rare In Real Estate, Money Laundering Inquiry Hears

    Alberta Tourist Dies After Plunge From 70 Metre Cliff In Stanley Park

    Alberta Tourist Dies After Plunge From 70 Metre Cliff In Stanley Park
    Police confirm the 26-year-old hopped a chest-high fence at Prospect Point on Sunday and plunged about 70 metres to a walkway below.

    Alberta Tourist Dies After Plunge From 70 Metre Cliff In Stanley Park

    Seaplane Theft: Vancouver Police Release Suspect Images

    Vancouver Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying the man who broke into the Harbour Air seaplane terminal in the Vancouver harbour on Friday and stole a seaplane.

    Seaplane Theft: Vancouver Police Release Suspect Images

    TSB Investigating Fire In Landing Gear Of Air Canada Jazz Plane In Montreal

    TSB Investigating Fire In Landing Gear Of Air Canada Jazz Plane In Montreal
    The agency says no injuries were reported and no emergency evacuation of the plane was required.

    TSB Investigating Fire In Landing Gear Of Air Canada Jazz Plane In Montreal