Gurjinder 'Gary' Dhaliwal pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder in Maple Batalia slaying
Dhaliwal admits to shooting the 19-year-old SFU student 3 times, then cutting her with a knife
The ex-boyfriend of Maple Batalia has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the 2011 shooting death of the 19-year-old SFU student.
Gurjinder "Gary" Dhaliwal made the plea on the opening day of his trial in New Westminster Supreme Court.
In an agreed statement of facts, Dhaliwal admits to firing five shots at Batalia, hitting her three times the night of Sept. 28, 2011 in the SFU Surrey parkade. He then slashed her with a knife and left.
An autopsy revealed Batalia was cut 11 times on her head.
In a joint submission Crown and defence have asked for a sentence of life in prison with no chance of parole for 21 years.
Dhaliwal's lawyer asked to the court to sentence his client today but the Batalia family requested sentencing be delayed until Monday so Maple's sister can travel to Vancouver from out of country.
Co-accused Gursimar Bedi is facing charges of accessory after the fact and manslaughter. His trial is now scheduled to begin Monday.
Dhaliwal, 24, was originally charged with first-degree murder. Crown portrayed him as a jealous ex-boyfriend who confronted Batalia on a number of occasions, and called and texted her hundreds of times after they had broken up.
Gary Dhaliwal has pleaded guilty to 2nd degree murder in death of Maple Batalia
—@Jesse_Johnston