A Toronto jury has delivered a guilty verdict against a man and his wife in connection with the murder of their Liberty Village neighbor, 53-year-old filmmaker Reeyaz Habib.
The jury returned the decision for 36-year-old Khoa Tran and his wife, Isabelle Nguyen, just before 8:30 p.m. On Wednesday.
The Verdict and Charges
Tran was found guilty of second-degree murder. Isabelle Nguyen was found guilty of accessory to murder and indignity to a human body.
The couple resided in a townhouse complex at 26 Western Battery Road, living in a unit directly below the victim.
Context of the Dispute
The investigation revealed a growing dispute between the neighbors in the weeks leading up to the murder. Habib had reportedly been complaining to the accused regarding BBQ smoke wafting up to his unit.
During the trial, Tran testified that he heard screaming, footsteps, and the sound of someone falling down the stairs coming from Habib’s unit on the overnight hours of June 6, 2023.
When questioned by crown attorney Anna Tenhouse about why he did not immediately report the screaming to police, Tran stated he believed Habib might have been experiencing a “mental health crisis” or was perhaps filming a scene.
“These things happen in movies or in stories, they don’t happen to me or to normal people,” Tran told the court, explaining why he did not initially suspect something nefarious was occurring.
Next Steps in the Legal Process
Following the verdict, bail for both Tran and Nguyen was revoked. The legal proceedings will move toward a sentencing phase scheduled for Sept. 9, 2026.
Tran is facing an automatic life sentence, with his parole eligibility yet to be decided. For Nguyen, the legal outcome may vary significantly; her lawyers have indicated that her sentence could range from 18 months to 5 or 6 years in prison.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What were the specific findings for Khoa Tran and Isabelle Nguyen?
Tran was found guilty of second-degree murder, while Nguyen was found guilty of accessory to murder and indignity to a human body. - What was the reported cause of the tension between the neighbors?
In the weeks leading up to the murder, there was a growing dispute regarding BBQ smoke wafting up to Habib’s unit. - When is the sentencing scheduled to occur?
Sentencing for the accused is scheduled for Sept. 9, 2026.
How do you think these legal outcomes impact the sense of safety within high-density residential communities?
