Closing arguments in the trial of three men charged with the 2022 killings of an Abbotsford couple continued on Monday. Andrew Cochrane, representing Abhijeet Singh, told the court that while his client acknowledges some involvement, the evidence does not support a murder conviction.
Defense Position on Abhijeet Singh
Cochrane stated that evidence might show Singh had prior knowledge of the plan, participated in the break-in, or received stolen items, but it falls short of proving murder. DNA from Singh appeared on a rope used to bind Arnold De Jong’s feet, yet Cochrane explained his client purchased and handled it the previous day.
Cellphone data places Singh’s phone 57 kilometers from the victims’ home at the time of the May 2022 killings. Singh also bought a baseball bat later found with Joanne De Jong’s DNA in the possession of co-accused Khushveer Toor.
At most, Cochrane described Singh as “a planner and provider of materials” in a “robbery gone wrong which resulted in homicide.” He emphasized that benefiting from robbery proceeds does not justify a murder or manslaughter conviction, and no proof exists that Singh was inside the home during the attacks.
Prosecution’s Case
Prosecutors argue DNA, cellphone, and bank records connect Gurkaran Singh, Abhijeet Singh, and Khushveer Toor to the double homicide. They claim the trio planned a home invasion robbery targeting the elderly couple out of greed.
The men allegedly stole credit cards and bank cheques, then quickly spent the victims’ money. Over $10,000 vanished from the De Jongs’ account, with some funds used to rent a new unit in Surrey. Abhijeet Singh reportedly shared news articles about the killings with an acquaintance and searched online for “punishment of murderers in Canada.”
Cochrane portrayed the search as typical for an Indian immigrant exploring lesser homicide liabilities in Canada’s legal system, possibly for others’ defenses.
Case Background
Arnold and Joanne De Jong were discovered dead in their Abbotsford home in the early hours of May 9, 2022. The three suspects were arrested six months later in December 2022 and have pleaded not guilty.
Earlier testimony detailed how the men allegedly entered the home, separated the couple into different rooms, bound them, and inflicted fatal injuries.
Next Steps in Trial
Defense arguments resume Tuesday with Toor’s lawyers questioning a DNA sample’s reliability. Following the Crown’s rebuttal, Justice Brenda Brown will deliver her verdict.
