A former lawyer in Kamloops, British Columbia, has confessed to killing his client, Mohd Abdullah, but his defense team argues that the act was not premeditated and the trial evidence does not support a first-degree murder charge.
The trial at the B.C. Supreme Court revealed that Abdullah had hired the lawyer, Rogelio (Butch) Bagabuyo, in 2016 to conceal significant amounts of money during Abdullah’s divorce. Over a span of seven years, Bagabuyo reportedly spent over $780,000 that Abdullah had transferred to him. The court heard that Bagabuyo delayed returning the money by citing various reasons, such as the need to establish shell companies or concerns about tax authorities.
Bagabuyo’s attorney, Mark Swartz, asserted during closing arguments that the killing was a result of a confrontation on March 11, 2022, where Bagabuyo disclosed to Abdullah that the money was gone, leading to a fatal struggle. Swartz contended that Abdullah had not threatened Bagabuyo before this meeting but was understandably distressed over the situation as his life savings were in Bagabuyo’s control.
Swartz maintained that the murder was unforeseen, highlighting Bagabuyo’s actions post the incident, including seeking help to dispose of the body. The defense lawyer argued that Bagabuyo’s purchase of items like a hacksaw two days after the killing indicated a lack of prior planning for the murder.
Following the discovery of Abdullah’s body in a tote on March 18, 2022, Bagabuyo was arrested. The prosecution alleged a detailed premeditation of the murder, citing Bagabuyo’s purchase of a tote before the incident and a note outlining post-murder instructions. However, Swartz countered that the tote was bought for office purposes and the note was hastily written after the killing, not as part of a calculated plan.
The defense further refuted claims of an orchestrated murder by pointing out circumstances like the murder location not being ideal for such a crime, indicating an unexpected turn of events. Bagabuyo, initially charged with indignity to human remains, was later charged with first-degree murder and has been on bail since July 12, 2023. The trial’s final arguments are set for Thursday.