Panghali found guilty of murder
Posted February 4, 2011 10:55 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
NEW WESTMINSTER (NEWS1130) – Mukhtiar Panghali has been found guilty of second degree murder in the death of his pregnant wife Manjit five years ago.
There was an audible gasp, then cheers in the courtroom when the judge handed down the verdict. Justice Heather Holmes found there was enough circumstantial evidence in the case to prove that Mukhtiar strangled his wife five years ago and dumped her body along the road near Deltaport Way.
In weighing the circumstantial evidence, Justice Heather Holmes dismissed some of the Crown’s case that identified Mukhtiar as a prime suspect. However, she did agree that he had obtained and used Manjit’s cell phone after she was reported missing.
Also, the judge concluded it was Mukhtiar Panghali seen in video surveillance taken from a Chevron station. He’s seen buying a lighter and newspaper on the night Manjit disappeared, despite him telling police he was at home the entire time.
Mukhtiar didn’t report his wife missing until 26 hours after she should have returned home from her pre-natal yoga class in Surrey.
Manjit’s sister read a statement on behalf of family and friends. She says the last five years have been very tough on them. Now, they have a sense of closure and they hope Mukhtiar Panghali will be locked up for the rest of his life.
Delta Police Sergeant Sharlene Brooks says investigators are satisfied with the outcome. “Today [we] have a sense of relief for the family — in particular, Manjit’s daughter — and all who knew Manjit. However, the Delta Police are mindful that today also re-ignites a sense of tragedy.”
Mukhtiar has also been found guilty of interference with a dead body.
His sentence hearing is set for March 17.
