Khoa Tran and Isabelle Nguyen sentenced Wednesday in Liberty Village murder case
The couple was convicted in the death of filmmaker Reeyaz Habib, whose body was found in a garbage compactor in June 2023.
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Khoa Tran and Isabelle Nguyen are being sentenced Wednesday for their roles in the death of filmmaker Reeyaz Habib, 56, whose body was found wrapped in blankets and duct tape in a garbage compactor at a townhouse complex in Liberty Village in June 2023.
Tran was found guilty of second-degree murder. Nguyen was convicted of accessory to murder and indignity to a human body. The two had argued over barbecue smoke drifting from Tran's balcony to Habib's unit above. According to trial evidence, the dispute escalated after Habib threatened to go to the condo board to have Tran removed for infractions. Tran's fingerprints were found on a note and duct tape on Habib's body, and DNA from both Tran and Nguyen was found on the tape. Neighbours heard cries for help around 3 a.m. on the day Habib's body was discovered.
The Crown is seeking the most severe punishments allowable. Habib's family provided victim impact statements Wednesday, with his 86-year-old mother submitting a written statement, too physically weak to attend. "Three years have passed but her heart still does not understand he's gone," according to the statement. Habib's sister said she walks through life with a "pulverized heart" and still has nightmares. His teenage niece said the violence "didn't just end one life but shattered entire family." Pat Smith, a friend of Habib, told the courtroom: "I've spent the last three years wondering 'what the heck happened to my friend?' He was such a kind, funny, charismatic, calm person. I just couldn't wrap my mind around any circumstances that would have led him to that situation."
The facts
Who was killed in the Liberty Village case?
Filmmaker Reeyaz Habib, 56, was killed. His body was found wrapped in blankets and duct tape in a garbage compactor at a townhouse complex in Liberty Village in June 2023.
What were Khoa Tran and Isabelle Nguyen convicted of?
Khoa Tran was found guilty of second-degree murder. Isabelle Nguyen was convicted of accessory to murder and indignity to a human body.
What sparked the conflict between Tran and Habib?
The two disputed over barbecue smoke drifting from Tran's balcony to Habib's unit above. The dispute escalated after Habib threatened to report Tran to the condo board for infractions.
