Victim in Warman homicide was fatally strangled, trial hears
The chief forensic pathologist for the Saskatchewan coroners service took to the stand in Saskatoon on Wednesday for the trial of Ranbir Dhull.
Dhull is charged with first-degree murder in the death of 23-year-old Samandeep Jhinger — Dhull’s ex-wife’s cousin.
Dr. Shaun Ladham was accepted as an expert in forensic pathology and revealed Jhinger’s cause of death to be ligature strangulation.
A pair of pants and scarf were wrapped around her neck when police found her body in the basement of a Warman home in July 2020.
On Tuesday an RCMP national forensic expert said Dhull’s DNA was detected on the scarf and the accused’s blood was found on the pants.
Photos shown in court pictured Jhinger’s body was discovered under a shelving unit, covered by a rolled-up carpet, dark plastic and pails, with twine binding her wrists and legs, and tape over her nose.
Dr. Ladham said the photos shown by the Crown, which revealed several bruises, blisters and abrasions on Jhinger’s body, as well as what he described as possible teeth marks on her back.
He said marks on the front-right side of Jhinger’s neck suggest someone pulled back from the left to strangle her.
During cross-examination, the defence questioned Dr. Ladham about whether the autopsy was able to tell if Jhinger had been bound before or after she was killed, but he said that couldn’t be determined.
The defence elected to call evidence on Nov. 7 and 8, when the trial will continue at Court of King’s Bench.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.