Something changed for me on May 8 as I was traveling north on the Yellowhead Highway just before Valemount. I was enjoying a mid-afternoon drive on a sunny and warm day. It was a perfect day for a drive...
A man who was pursued by police around the world confessed to a Richmond murder when he was extradited from Belgium back to Canada, court heard Monday.
Kien Beng Tan appeared in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver on Monday and pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of Richmond pawnshop owner Sonny Le.
In his opening statement, prosecutor Greg Weber told B.C. Supreme Court Justice John Savage that Tan became a suspect shortly after the May 2004 slaying in the store located on No. 3 Road.
Worried acquaintances had phoned police when they saw a sandwich board outside the store and the lights on after hours.
The body of Le, 50, was found behind a counter. He’d suffered three stab wounds to the chest.
Tan, carrying a Malaysian passport, checked out of a hotel and caught an overseas flight leaving Vancouver International Airport a day after the murder, said Weber.
In the days prior to the slaying, Tan had pawned a number of items at the store — including an amethyst ring, a Rolex watch, a camera and a laptop computer.
After Tan left the country, police tracked him down in Malaysia.
In June 2006, two RCMP officers travelled to Malaysia, and Tan provided fingerprints.
In 2007, Tan again provided fingerprints when he was arrested in Belgium for crimes allegedly committed in the European country.
Tan’s prints matched prints police found on top of a glass display counter in the Richmond pawnshop, said Weber.
On March 28, 2008, Tan was extradited back to Canada from Belgium.
In a so-called cell plant scenario, undercover police spoke to Tan in Cantonese when he was returned to Vancouver.
“Tan admitted to killing Le, and wrote a letter of apology to Le’s daughter,” said Weber.
The next day, Tan was interviewed by police.
“He confessed to the killing of Le, and demonstrated how it happened,” said Weber.
The prosecutor told the judge that he expected there would be a number of Charter challenges by the defence, but that the issues would be dealt with as the trial progressed.
The case is being heard by judge alone. The judge imposed a ban on publication of the identities of the undecover cops.
A pathologist is expected to testify Tuesday.
An ex-wife and the daughter of Le were in court Monday, but were reluctant to speak about the case.
The trial is expected to run two to three weeks.
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his embattled chief of staff Nigel Wright are facing mounting questions and criticism over their conduct...