'You are the judges in this case': Jury trial underway in death of Windsor mom, under pandemic modifications
The jury trial of a man accused in the death of Autumn Taggart, 31, has started in Windsor’s Superior Court.
Jitesh Bhogal, 31, is standing trial on a single charge of first degree murder.
After pleading not guilty, Bhogal elected to be tried by a judge and jury.
In her charge to the jury, Justice Renee Pomerance said, “You are the judges in this case.”
This is the first jury trial in Windsor since the pandemic began, and it has changed how the court operates.
The gallery seating in the rear of Courtroom 1, where the public usually sits, is now where the jury sits in physically distant chairs.
The accused sits in what used to be the Jury Box, directly behind his lawyers.
The assistant crown attorneys, Ilana Mizel and Kim Bertholet sit directly opposite defence lawyers Peter Thorning and his associate.
Courtroom 2 is used as a jury room for them when they are not expected in court, for breaks and that is where they will deliberate at the end of the evidence.
The proceedings are broadcast via Zoom into two overflow courtrooms for the Taggart family, the public and the media.
In her opening statement, Bertholet laid out a “roadmap” for the evidence the jury can expect to hear.
The Crown alleges Autumn Taggart was sexually assaulted and the accused caused her death.
Bertholet says their evidence will describe how Bhogal entered Windsor via Detroit early in the morning of June 10, 2018 to buy drugs.
Bhogal, and two Windsorites, were parked behind Taggart’s apartment building, doing “a few lines of cocaine placed on the console” of Bhogals’ vehicle.
The two Windsorites left the vehicle and took the drugs Bhogal purchased, according to Bertholet.
Court heard Taggart’s nine-year-old son Gavin was in the apartment at the time of incident, and he told police “a man” entered his room and told him to be quiet.
Court heard the young boy couldn’t wake his mother later that evening, so he called his father, who discovered Taggart’s body.
Bertholet says a pathologist will testify Taggart died of suffocation and neck compression and that she suffered injuries to her genital area which are consistent with “forceful penetration.”
The Crown says swabs were taken from Taggart’s body, and a scientist will testify Bhogal cannot be excluded as a DNA match from samples taken from Taggart’s “breasts, mouth, genitals and under her fingernails” according to Bertholet.
The Crown says Bhogal returned to the United States early the same morning of June 10, 2018.
Bertholet says the Crown will be calling 30 witnesses over the course of the eight-week trial.
The first witness is set to testify Tuesday starting at 10 a.m.
Correction
Note: Court heard the young boy couldn’t wake his mother later that evening, not in the morning as CTV News indicated in the previous version of this article.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
BREAKING Quebec to invest $603 million to protect the French language
Quebec will invest $603 million over five years to counter the decline of French in the province, French Language Minister Jean-Francois Roberge announced Sunday.
'Do not consume': Gift Chocolate recalled due to undeclared milk, soy
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Kitchener family says their 10-year-old needs life-saving drug that cost $600,000
Raneem, 10, lives with a neurological condition and liver disease and needs Cholbam, a medication, for a longer and healthier life.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Murder charge laid after man falls to death from Toronto apartment balcony
One person has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a man who fell from a balcony following an altercation inside a Toronto apartment building.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
Zendaya tennis movie ‘Challengers’ scores at weekend box office
Zendaya and castmates Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor have been on a globetrotting press tour to get the word out about Italian director Luca Guadagnino's original film, which opened in 3,477 locations in the U.S. and Canada.
What is a 'halal mortgage'? Does it make housing more accessible?
The 2024 federal budget announced on April 16 included plans to introduce “halal mortgages” as a way to increase access to home ownership.