Jury at Jaspal Singh Sidhu’s second-degree murder trial shown video of police interview

The jury at the second-degree murder trial of Jaspal Singh Sidhu watched video Tuesday of his conversation with a Guelph Police detective after his father was found dead in their home.

Jaspal Singh Sidhu is accused of killing his father on Feb. 28, 2023.

Court already heard that Balbir Singh Sidhu, 68, had eight stab wounds and was found by first responders with a knife sticking out of his chest. A second knife, with the blade broken off, was also lying beside the body.

Day 6 of testimony

Tuesday began with two emergency responders taking the stand.

Testimony mostly centered around a tear in Balbir Singh Sidhu’s shirt.

Paramedic Graham Little told the court the victim had “multiple penetrating injuries to his torso” and “a large knife embedded into the center of his chest.”

He did not recall cutting or altering Balbir Singh Sidhu’s shirt but, during cross-examination, said another paramedic unbuttoned the front of it. He insisted they did not move or roll the victim.

Little was followed on the stand by firefighter Thomas Des Roches, who said he had no memory of Balbir Singh Sidhu’s shirt being torn.

Video interview

Det. Sgt. Trevor Byard was next to testify. The court was shown an interview he conducted with Jaspal Singh Sidhu on the day his father died.

In it, Jaspal Singh Sidhu told Byard he asked to speak with a psychiatrist after he was arrested because he had a history of schizophrenia and anxiety.

“I saw what happened, right?” Jaspal Singh Sidhu was heard saying. “But it is what it is. And it’s sad, really sad. It’s frustrating from my perspective.”

He later stated: “I understand my charges. I understand my rights, so we’re good to go. It’s just sad, really sad.”

During the interview, Jaspal Singh Sidhu was informed of his father’s death.

In the video, he took a deep breath and said: “Oh, man. Whatever, man. Seriously, I can’t say anything.”

Jaspal Singh Sidhu then stated he couldn’t say more until he spoke with a lawyer but told Byard his father had been abusive throughout his childhood. He added that his family, and the public, would soon get answers.

More testimony

Another emergency responder then took the stand.

Michael Vander Meulen, a paramedic superintendent for Guelph-Wellington EMS, said he saw blood on Jaspal Singh Sidhu’s leg at their Hands Drive home.

“He didn’t think it was his blood,” Vander Meulen stated.

He then heard Jaspal Singh Sidhu tell a police officer: “’I haven’t been stabbed.’ She responded: ‘You told me you’ve been stabbed.’ He denied that.”

Vander Meulen said he cut Jaspal Singh Sidhu’s pants but saw no blood on his leg, then examined him for any other injuries. He told the court that the only thing he found was a laceration on Jaspal Singh Sidhu’s finger, which he likened to a paper cut.

Second video interview

Jurors were also shown an interview with Balbir Singh Sidhu’s former physician, who described their last interaction.

The doctor said Balbir Singh Sidhu was frail but healthy enough to throw a punch or fight if he had a surge of adrenaline.

The trial and testimony is expected to continue on Wednesday.