A former Surrey temple leader who to manslaughter in connection with the July 2014 death of his wife dismissed his lawyer Thursday afternoon at what was to be his sentencing.
Baldev Singh Kalsi had been scheduled to learn his fate in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster, however, before the sentence could be imposed, the court heard he wants to consult new counsel.
鈥淚鈥檓 here as a courtesy to the court to advise simply that Mr. Kalsi and I have encountered serious difficulties with the conduct of his case, with the result that I have been dismissed,鈥� defence Peter Wilson told Justice Trevor Armstrong, noting Kalsi wanted get advice from another lawyer prior to being sentenced.
Crown Wendy Stephen argued that the adjournment should not be allowed.
鈥淚 simply can鈥檛 imagine what it is that Mr. Kalsi could or would consult with another counsel about,鈥� Stephen said.
鈥淗e was looking at going to jail today for a very long time. The timing suggests that it is simply a delay tactic.鈥�
Kalsi 鈥� former president of the Gurdwara Sahib Brookside temple 鈥� was arrested in July 2014, after police found his wife, Narinder, in severe medical distress at a home in the 19400-block of 32 Avenue in South Surrey.
At that time, the incident was described as 鈥渄omestic-related.鈥�
Kalsi was charged with second-degree murder after Narinder died 鈥� she was taken off life support less than a week after the incident 鈥� and had been ordered to stand trial following a preliminary inquiry in Surrey Provincial Court two years later.
He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter last November, on what had been .
Thursday, Stephen noted the length of time that has passed since Narinder Kalsi鈥檚 death and told the court that 鈥渆very delay鈥� in the proceedings against Baldev Kalsi to this point 鈥� including an earlier change of counsel 鈥� 鈥渉as been at the feet of Mr. Kalsi.鈥�
She said Wilson conducted Kalsi鈥檚 defence in a 鈥渢horough and incredibly competent fashion,鈥� noted that Kalsi had signed an agreed statement of facts regarding what led to his wife鈥檚 death and emphasized that she and Wilson an appropriate sentence would be 11 years in jail.
The only argument was regarding how much credit Kalsi should receive for time served, she said.
She encouraged the court to ask Kalsi why he was now taking this step.
Armstrong did just that, and Kalsi responded that it was to do with submitting letters of support. He had heard from another lawyer 鈥渁round 5:30鈥� Wednesday evening, he said.
Outside court, Kalsi said only that 鈥渢he lawyer, he didn鈥檛 explain (it to) me properly.鈥�
Kalsi had asked the court to adjourn the case until after March 21, noting he had an appointment with another lawyer on that date. Stephen noted to the court that the lawyer in question was Kalsi鈥檚 original defence lawyer.
Armstrong, noting Crown is 鈥渧igorously opposed鈥� to an adjournment, gave Kalsi until Tuesday (March 13) afternoon.
鈥淓ndeavour to have someone from (defence counsel鈥檚) office here at 1:30,鈥� Armstrong said.
