Jury in case of stabbed shopkeeper who died praying in friend's arms finds robber guilty of murder
Lucie Edwardson | CBC News | Posted: April 30, 2018 11:06 PM | Last Updated: May 1, 2018
Maqsood Ahmed, 55, was robbed and killed in October 2014 in northeast Calgary parking lot
Lloyd Kollie has been found guilty of second-degree murder and robbery in the 2014 stabbing death of Maqsood Ahmed.
The jury of eight men and three women deliberated for about six hours before coming to the decision late Monday evening at the Calgary Courts Centre.
Ahmed, 55, a father and entrepreneur, was a pillar in his community, prosecutor Richelle Freiheit told jurors in her opening statement earlier this month.
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The shopkeeper died praying in the arms of a friend, after being stabbed several times while attempting to wrestle back a stolen bag of money from his attackers.
Kollie, who appeared in court in black pants and a grey, hooded sweater, showed little emotion when the verdict was read out by a juror around 10:15 p.m. Monday night.
Members of Ahmed's family arrived in time for the verdict, but chose not to comment.
Crown prosecutor Ken McCaffrey said he, however, spoke with the family and that they were "happy with the verdict."
"They'll be participating in the sentencing process with victim impact statements," he said.
McCaffrey said he was not surprised by how quickly the jury was able to reach a decision in this trial.
"Our case was built on the science of DNA and we were confident we had a strong case, so we're gratified that the jury saw that as well," he said.
Kollie is scheduled to appear in court May 11, at which time a sentencing date will be decided.
What jurors heard
Earlier in the trial, the court heard that on the night of Oct. 8, 2014, Ahmed closed up his produce shop — that also handled Western Union money transfers — and left his business just before 10 p.m.
With one attacker at the wheel of the getaway car, two others "stayed behind and laid in wait for Mr. Ahmed," Freiheit said.
As Ahmed walked to his car through the dark parking lot with $70,000 cash in a black canvas bag, he was attacked by the masked men.
The prosecution said Kollie, also known as Banks, was the "main player" in the killing.
Ahmed was pepper sprayed before his bag of cash was grabbed by Kollie, the prosecution said. Ahmed then chased after the robber, caught up to him and fought to get his bag back.
That's when the Crown says, "the playing field shifted" and Kollie began his fatal attack.
Ahmed was stabbed eight times, including one deep cut to his arm, which hit an artery.
Another robber, Jean Havyarimana drove up, leapt out of the car and kicked Ahmed twice while he was on the ground.
"[The] father, an entrepreneur, a pillar of the community, was no match for this team of attackers," Freiheit told jurors.
Kollie and Havyarimana, who has since pleaded guilty to his role in the attack, then drove off with the money.
Ahmed attempted to get up but collapsed. At that time, his friend and fellow shopkeeper Balbir Kanda had come out of his neighbouring business. He got down on the ground and held onto Ahmed.
The dying man managed to say his prayers in Kanda's arms.
Ahmed left behind a wife, grown children and grandchildren.
In the days after Ahmed's death the killers drove to Edmonton for a two-day hotel party to celebrate the robbery and Kollie's birthday, according to witnesses who testified for the prosecution.
Police would eventually find Kollie's DNA under Ahmed's fingernails. Blood from the victim was also found in the getaway vehicle, along with clothing worn during the attack, a mask and pepper spray.
Jurors were told two others have since pleaded guilty for their roles in the attack.
Matthew Forest pleaded guilty in 2016 to robbery and accessory after the fact to murder for his role in the case. He was sentenced to seven years in prison.
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