Jitesh Bhogal found guilty of first-degree murder of Windsor woman
Jitesh Bhogal has been found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Windsor woman Autumn Taggart.
Taggart, 31, was killed on June 10, 2018 in the bedroom of her University Avenue apartment building.
The 12-member jury reached the verdict on Wednesday morning. Deliberations started Monday evening at 5 p.m.
Justice Renee Pomerance said to the jury “you have discharged your duties with distinction.” As she dismissed them she added “I offer you my sincere thanks.”
The Taggart family exited the courthouse with their hands on the air, declaring “a victory”.Relief for the family of Autumn Taggart moments after Jitesh Bhogal was found guilty of first degree murder in Windsor, Ont., on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021. (Michelle Maluske/CTV Windsor)
“Can’t say we weren’t nervous. It’s definitely the right Verdict. Autumn deserved this. (Her son) deserved this,” said John Taggart, Autumn’s father. “Justice, that’s what we wanted. That’s what we got.”
The family members hugged each other and showed visible signs of relief.
“We’d still like to see the laws in Canada change for, life changes to actual life. Not 25 years and then parole. We’d like life, to mean life, for all victims,” said John Taggart.
A pathologist testified Taggart died from neck compression and suffocation.
At trial, Bhogal, 31, admitted on the stand he put his hands over Taggart’s nose and mouth to get her to “stop screaming”.Jitesh Bhogal on surveillance video. (Handout / CTV Windsor)
The family members will now decide whether or not they want to write a victim impact statement, needed for the sentencing hearing on Jan. 5, 2022.
"I feel that justice is served for Autumn, my beautiful daughter," Tammy Spratt, Taggart's biological mother tells CTV News.
"Aside from her death, it was the most difficult seven weeks of my entire life, hearing the details (in court) of what happened to her, from head to toe. I don't even have a word. It was awful. It was excruciating. Agonizing."
Spratt describes Taggart as witty and intelligent woman.
"She was so smart. A great mother. She loved to laugh and she loved life and I miss her."
Spratt wishes to thank the jury, the police and Crown Attorneys for their "hard work and dedication."
“There’s no words to express, what any of us were feeling. She’s still gone. She’s not coming back,” said Jolayne Lausch, Taggart’s step-mother.
Crown Attorneys Ilana Mizel and Kim Bertholet declined to comment until after Bhogal is sentenced in 2022.
Defence lawyers Peter Thorning and Maureen Salama met with Bhogal following the verdict.Defence declined to comment to CTV News.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.