'You're lying to the jury:' Crown attacks credibility of accused in first-degree murder trial
CBC
WARNING: This story contains graphic details that some readers might find disturbing.
A Crown prosecutor took aim at the credibility of the man accused of first-degree murder in the death of 31-year-old Autumn Taggart, suggesting he had lied several times about events the day she died.
Jitesh Bhogal admitted Thursday to "accidentally" killing Taggart on June 10, 2018 in her Windsor, Ont home after ingesting several lines of cocaine that he claims he was taking for the first time.
Taggart's nine-year-old son was home at the time and testified earlier that he heard his mother screaming.
"You're lying to the jury sir about your familiarity with cocaine ... You are an exprienced cocaine user," Crown Attorney Ilana Mizel said in court Friday.
"I disagree," Bhogal replied.
The 14-member jury has heard during the trail that Bhogal crossed into Windsor from Detroit with the intention of visiting a strip club. That's where the accused said he met a man, and later a woman, who sold him the drugs.
Bhogal testified that he wanted to try some of the cocaine before purchasing the "eight ball," which is roughly 3.5 grams of cocaine.
Mizel fired back that only an experienced user would ask to test the quality of the cocaine. She also questioned his use of the term "eight ball," which Bhogal said he heard on a show.
"Mr. Bhogal ,you're lying. I'm going to suggest that you're lying about your intention about whether or not you wanted to go in a strip club," said Mizel.
Some of the Crown's questions caused the judge to pause proceedings and intervene.
Justice Renee Pomerance instructed the jury to not draw any link between the accusation that Bhogal was going to a strip club and was looking for a prostitute, and whether or not he could have committed a sexual assault.
An autopsy, previously submitted as evidence, showed signs of sexual assault on Taggart's body. At one point, Mizel asked point blank if he had sexually assaulted her.
"You had sex with Ms. Taggart," said Mizel.
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