The man accused of killing two New Westminster women last year will stand trial in provincial court in June 2015.
Sarbjit Bains, the 32-year-old Surrey resident who allegedly murdered Karen Nabors and Jill Lyons in their 11th Street apartments last August, appeared in New Westminster provincial court last Wednesday to set a date for his trial.
According to court services online, Bains’ next appearance will be April 8, 2015 for a focus hearing. He will return to court two months later on June 24 for a preliminary hearing.
If the judge decides the Crown has enough evidence to move forward, Bains’ trial will begin the following day on June 25 at 9:30 a.m. and run until June 26. If more time is needed, the trial will continue July 13 and 14.
Two weeks ago, Bains was in court via videoconference from the North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam. During the brief appearance, his defence lawyer Jodi Michaels told the presiding judge it was unlikely her client would stand trial as she believes the case could be wrapped up in as early as one month.
Bains is charged with two counts of first-degree murder and is accused of killing Lyons, 45, and Nabors, 48. Both women were found dead in their apartments in the 200 block of 11th Street. After almost five months, investigators with the Integrated Homicide Investigation Team announced at a press conference on Jan. 6 that Bains had been arrested.
