A Toronto jury has delivered guilty verdicts in the trial concerning the 2023 death of filmmaker Reeyaz Habib. Khoa Tran has been found guilty of second-degree murder, while his wife, Isabelle Nguyen, was found guilty of being an accessory after the fact and committing an indignity to a dead body.
The verdicts were reached after just over a day of jury deliberations. The case centered on the death of the 53-year-old Habib, whose body was discovered in a garbage compactor at a Liberty Village condominium where he lived alone.
Details of the Dispute and Trial
During the trial, Crown prosecutors argued that the killing was motivated by an escalating dispute between the neighbours. The conflict allegedly involved issues regarding barbecue smoke and odours, as well as threats made by Habib.
Tran, who lived in the unit directly below Habib, testified in his own defence. He admitted to being angry and disposing of Habib’s bicycle, but maintained that the death was not related to his actions.
Defence lawyers argued that the Crown’s evidence was circumstantial. They suggested that Habib’s death could have been an accident and argued there was insufficient evidence to prove Nguyen knowingly assisted in a cover-up.
“Poor Mr. Habib was killed and his body put in a dumpster,” Superior Court Justice Ken Campbell said. “Those are serious offences and the circumstances surrounding them are the most serious of nature.”
Legal Implications and Immediate Outcomes
Under Canadian law, a conviction for second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence. The specific period of parole ineligibility, which ranges between 10 and 25 years, will be determined by a judge at a later date.
Following the verdicts, Justice Campbell revoked bail for both Tran and Nguyen, ordering them to be taken into custody immediately. While defence counsel argued that Nguyen had complied with strict bail conditions and posed no threat to public safety, the judge rejected these submissions.
Nguyen was seen crying in court as the decision was delivered. Both accused are expected to be held in separate facilities while they await sentencing.
What to Expect Next
The case is now moving into the sentencing phase. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 9, where the court will determine the penalties for both individuals.
The judge may consider a pre-sentence report for Nguyen during this process. This hearing will ultimately establish how long Tran must serve before becoming eligible for parole and the specific penalty Nguyen will face for her role in the case.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What were the specific charges for which the couple was found guilty? Khoa Tran was found guilty of second-degree murder, while Isabelle Nguyen was found guilty of being an accessory after the fact and committing an indignity to a dead body.
- Where was the victim’s body located? Reeyaz Habib’s body was found in a garbage compactor at a Liberty Village condominium building.
- When will the sentencing take place? A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for September 9.
How do you think the jury’s split recommendations will influence the final sentencing decision?
