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Trial resumes for Richard Reed, charged with the homicide of Jian Zhu and the tried homicide of Paul Jin
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Reluctantly, an in depth pal of accused killer Richard Reed testified Monday that a number of days after the deadly 2020 Manzo restaurant homicide, Reed “was simply bragging concerning the capturing.”
Mohammad Elburai informed B.C. Supreme Court docket Justice Jeanne Watchuk that he didn’t consider Reed when he confessed to a task within the Sept. 18, 2020, Richmond slaying that left money-launderer Jian Jun Zhu useless and his affiliate, Paul Jin, wounded.
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“He was simply saying he shot any person, however I didn’t consider him,” Elburai, a 27-year-old auto mechanic, mentioned. “He was simply bragging about it mainly.”
He mentioned Reed usually tried to behave like a gangster “simply to sound cool to individuals.”
Reed was “calm and picked up” when he talked concerning the homicide, the witness testified, including that Reed claimed to have been paid “perhaps six, perhaps eight, perhaps 10 grand.”
He confirmed to prosecutor Rusty Antonuk that Reed confirmed him {a photograph} of Paul Jin together with his cheek bleeding and informed his pal of greater than a decade that Jin was the supposed goal of the hit.
“He shot the unsuitable particular person. He did inform me that,” Elburai mentioned.
Reed claimed he acquired the photograph from a South Asian man named “Jas” who was contained in the restaurant on the time of the capturing.
Nearly each time Elburai answered a query, he included: “I’m not too positive” or “I didn’t consider it.”
Elburai started his testimony in particular person Monday morning in Courtroom 65 on the Vancouver Regulation Courts. However after he repeatedly complained that he didn’t wish to testify and put his head between his knees, the Crown utilized to have him moved to a separate room to proceed on the stand. Defence lawyer Kevin Westell opposed the transfer.
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However Watchuk dominated that Elburai may testify by a video hyperlink as a result of he was clearly uncomfortable in court docket and at occasions was “curled up in a ball.”
Throughout his morning testimony, Elburai repeated a number of occasions: “I don’t wish to be right here to be trustworthy.”
He even informed Watchuk that if he couldn’t proceed his proof on video, he was ready to go to jail.
Antonuk informed the court docket that Elburai had been subpoenaed to testify and warned {that a} warrant is perhaps issued for his arrest if he didn’t comply.
Elburai clearly appeared uncomfortable when he walked in at about 10:15 a.m. and noticed his long-time pal within the prisoner’s field. Jin was sitting within the public gallery together with dozens of scholars.
He testified that Reed known as him for a trip a number of hours after the Manzo capturing and appeared distressed and “jittery.” Reed was within the parking zone of the Wendy’s restaurant on Cambie Avenue in Vancouver on the time.
“I assumed he was getting jumped,” Elburai mentioned.
As they drove towards Richmond, Reed informed Elburai to have a look at the information. The witness mentioned he checked Safari on his telephone and noticed experiences of the Manzo homicide.
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“What was your mind-set?” Antonuk requested.
Replied Elburai: “I used to be shocked.”
He testified that Reed was dressed all in black and that he noticed a bulge “beneath his clothes,” close to his abdomen that he thought appeared like a “9 millimetre.”
Requested what he meant by that, Elburai mentioned “a firearm.” He mentioned he knew the form as a result of he had beforehand held one.
Antonuk additionally requested Elburai how he was doing financially in 2020. He admitted he was struggling and offered illicit medication for a brief time frame.
Elburai testified in a voir dire — or a trial inside a trial. Watchuk will hear attorneys’ arguments subsequent week on whether or not his proof must be admitted within the case.
He might be underneath cross-examination Tuesday.
kbolan@postmedia.com
x.com/kbolan
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