Lawyers in extradition hearing argue for hearsay evidence
Posted July 23, 2013 2:54 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – A federal government lawyer wants second-hand evidence admitted in court that showed a Maple Ridge woman was afraid for her life because her family disapproved of her marriage.
Diba Mazjub says Jassi Sidhu had no reason to lie to her friends when she told them she was afraid after her family found out she had married a man in India against their wishes.
Sidhu was found dead in India in 2000, and her mother and uncle are facing extradition to the country, where they have been charged with conspiracy to murder.
Earlier in the extradition hearing, the court heard that Sidhu had opened up to coworkers and friends about her union, and of her fears of what her family would do to her if they found out.
Second-hand, or hearsay evidence, is generally not admissible in court, but Mazjub argues an exception should be made because the testimonies show that Sidhu meant to defy her family and that she feared the repercussions.
The family has denied their involvement in Sidhu’s murder, which happened after she flew to India to reunite with her husband.
