BC Murder Trial Opens with Stabbing Video Evidence

In British Columbia Supreme Court, the second-degree murder trial of Inderdeep Singh Gosal began with the playback of security videos capturing a fatal stabbing on a downtown Vancouver Starbucks patio nearly three years ago. Gosal, 35, faces charges in the death of Paul Schmidt, who was killed on March 26, 2023, during a confrontation outside the coffee shop at Granville and Pender streets.

Gosal pleaded not guilty at the outset of proceedings before Justice Kathleen Ker, who is presiding over the judge-alone trial. Crown prosecutor Karin Blok presented footage spanning about 23 minutes, detailing Gosal's movements from a train ride into the city to the moments immediately following the attack. Dressed in a grey hoodie and red pants, Gosal arrived at the patio, lit a cigarette just outside the doors and sat briefly before engaging in a verbal exchange with Schmidt, who was dressed in black.

The videos showed the dispute escalating into a physical struggle, culminating in Gosal stabbing Schmidt in the chest multiple times. Blok described the entire altercation as lasting 25 seconds in total. Blood smeared across the patio as Schmidt collapsed, forming a pool beneath him....