Friday, November
9, 2001
50
Years to Life in Prison
After
nearly 22 months of pain and agony, justice has finally been done.
Earlier today, Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge Richard Flier announced
the sentence of Joga Sandher.
 As
expected, he sentenced Sandher to 50 years to life in prison. What
this means of course is that Sandher will spend the rest of his natural
life in state prison. He will not be eligible for parole for at least
fifty years. Needless to say, his chances of actually surviving in
prison until this point are slim to none. Make no mistake about it,
he will die in prison. We couldn't have asked for a better outcome.
Prior
to the sentence being handed down, the court heard from several speakers
including representatives from Skyline High School, the Oakland Education
Association, The Sikh Center, and the family of Ajmer Singh Malhi. Many
thanks go out to all those who took the time to join us this morning, especially
those in the education and labor communities. We hope to post some transcripts
and pictures of those who spoke in the near future.
Several
media outlets were also present today. Please visit the media reports
section within the next 24-48 hours as we will be posting all relevant
news articles as they become available. Please check back for further
updates. Thank you.
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We
all miss you Ajmer
God
Bless you! |
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TRIAL DAY FIFTEEN
Tuesday, October
2, 2001
JUDGE: SANDHER
NOT INSANE!!!
In front of a crowd
of well over 100 supporters of Ajmer, Contra Costa County Superior Court
Judge Richard Flier found Joga Sandher to be sane. Judge Flier stated
that Sandher had no mental disability and fully comprehended his actions
when he entered the Gurdwara and murdered Ajmer on January 23, 2000.
Needless to say,
we are all very relieved by this decision and are thankful to everyone
who took the time to join us in court this morning. With the guilt and
sanity phases having been concluded, the matter of sentencing will now
be taken up by the court. Judge Flier has asked all parties to return
to his courtroom on Friday, November 9th @ 8:30am at which time he will
announce Sandher's punishment. We are confident that Judge Flier
will sentence him to spend the rest of his natural life in prison.
In the meantime,
you are encouraged to visit the media reports section within the next 24-48
hours, as we will be posting links to various news articles as soon as
they become available . Once again, we ask for your continued support,
patience, and prayers. Thank you.
TRIAL DAY
FOURTEEN
Friday, September
28, 2001
SANITY DECISION
POSTPONED UNTIL TUESDAY
After listening to
closing arguments from both sides, Judge Flier announced that he would
render his decision concerning the sanity of Joga Sandher on Tuesday, October
2, 2001 @ 9:30am. We are confident that he will return with a decision
that will find him sane. We ask for your continued support, patience, and
prayers as we near the end of the trial. The courtroom was once again
filled to capacity with several dozen friends and family members of Ajmer.
We expect even more people to attend on Tuesday, and look forward
to seeing you all there. You are once again reminded to arrive early
so as to allow enough time for you to park your vehicle and make your way
through courtroom security. Please do not be discouraged if you are
not able to find a seat. Your presence will be felt regardless of
where you are seated. We will make every effort to accommodate as
many people as possible. We have also posted links to two new articles
published in today's editions of various local newspapers. They can
be found under the media reports section. Thank you.
TRIAL DAY THIRTEEN
Wednesday, September
26, 2001
PROSECUTION AND
DEFENSE REST. SANITY DECISION EXPECTED ON FRIDAY!!!
The court heard today
from the last medical expert as the prosecution and the defense both rested
their case. Judge Flier has instructed all parties to report back
to his courtroom this Friday, September 28, 2001 @ 1pm at which time he
will render his decision concerning the sanity of Joga Sandher. Please
note that Court will NOT be in session on Thursday, September 27th.
Needless to say,
this is a very important decision as it will ultimately determine Sandher's
fate. We are asking everyone in the Sikh, Educational, and Labor
communities to please show your support as it will surely be needed on
what will unarguably be a very emotional day for the Malhi family, and
indeed all those who have been impacted by Ajmer's loss. Since
we are expecting a very large turnout, you are strongly encouraged to arrive
at the courthouse at least 45 minutes in advance to allow enough time for
you to park your vehicle and make your way through security.
Lastly, please refer
to the media links section as both the Contra Costa Times and the San Francisco
Chronicle have written articles about the guilty verdict handed down on
Monday. Thank you.
TRIAL DAY THIRTEEN
Monday, September
24, 2001
BREAKING NEWS….SANDHER
FOUND GUILTY OF 1ST DEGREE MURDER!!!
Judge Richard Flier
rendered a guilty verdict against Joga Sandher early this afternoon in
front of a packed courtroom. He was convicted of 1st degree murder
in the killing of Ajmer as well as an assault with a deadly weapon against
Gurmeera Singh who was injured in the crossfire. The second count
included several felony weapons charges, all of which Sandher was found
guilty of as well.
The 1st degree murder
conviction is significant in the sense that Judge Flier recognized the
fact that Sandher acted with pre-meditation with an intent to kill.
However, no decision has been made on the issue of Sandher’s mental state.
That decision is expected to come down by the end of the week. The
prosecution is expected to present an additional medical expert on Wednesday
to strengthen up its contention that Sandher does not meet the legal
definition of being criminally insane. After a sanity decision
has been rendered, the court will take up the matter of sentencing.
Please note that
your continued support is needed as we move into the final chapter of the
criminal matter. Court is set to reconvene on Wednesday, September
26, 2001 @ 9:30AM. We look forward to seeing all of you there.
More details and relevant news articles will be posted as soon as they
become available. Thank you.
TRIAL DAYS ELEVEN
AND TWELVE
Thursday, September
20, and Friday 21, 2001
The court heard from
more doctors on Thursday and Friday. The prosecution and defense
both presented one doctor each. Additional medical testimony is expected
to resume next week. Court will reconvene on Monday, September 24,
2001 @ 9:30am.
TRIAL DAY TEN
Tuesday, September
18, 2001
The "expert witness"
from yesterday completed her testimony this afternoon. The defense
rested and the prosecution is expected to present its medical witnesses
later this week. Please note that court will not be in session on
Wednesday, September 19, 2001. Court will reconvene on Thursday,
September 20, 2001 @ 9:30am. If all goes according to planned, this
case may reach a conclusion by the end of next week, if not sooner.
Stay tuned for more details. Thank you.
TRIAL DAY NINE
Monday, September
17, 2001
The defense called another
"expert" witness who continued to assert the argument that Sandher some
how was not "aware" of what he was doing when he murdered Ajmer.
Her testimony was scheduled to last for only a few hours, but ended up
taking longer than expected. She informed the court that she had
an important meeting that she could not miss this afternoon. Judge
Flier ordered her to come back to court tommorrow afternoon @ 1:30pm.
However, we do not know if court will begin at this time. You are
advised to please check the website before coming to court, as we will
pass on this information as soon as it becomes available. Thank you.
TRIAL DAY EIGHT
Friday, September
14, 2001
The defense called their
"expert" witness to testify in regards to Sander's sanity at the time he
committed the murder. The prosecution, however, did an excellent
job of once again undermining the credibility of the witness.
The sanity phase
will resume on Monday, September 15, 2001 @ 9:30am.
The reason court
was canceled yesterday is because the defense was having some difficulty
getting one of their "expert" medicial witnesses to appear yesterday.
Please check back tonight for additional updates. Thank you.
TRIAL DAY SEVEN
Thursday, September
13, 2001
Court was abruptly canceled
this afternoon, for reasons still unknown. We were not told
in advance as we usually are, so this came as a surprise to all of
us. We should know more tommorrow morning whether or not court will
resume as scheduled. You are advised to please check the website
before
coming to court
in the morning. As soon as we find out, we will let all of you know.
In the meantime, please visit the media links section, where you will find
the latest Contra Costa Times Article. Thank you for your patience.
TRIAL DAY SIX
Wednesday, September
12, 2001
The defense began its
presentation today of Sandher's supposed "mental illness." Several
members of Sandher's extended family testified before the Court. Their
testimony concerning Sandher's alleged mental state when he murdered Ajmer
was highly questionable. The prosecution did an excellent job of
undermining their testimony and will conclusively demonstrate, by way of
expert medical testimony in the coming days, that he fully comprehended
his actions and that he clearly does not meet the legal definition of being
"insane". Overall today's session saw the largest turnout amongst
Ajmer's friends and family members with courtroom packed to capacity. It
is clear that the word is getting out and all those who have attended are
asked to continue to tell everyone they know to join all of us in the courtroom
in our search for justice, especially those in the educational and labor
communities.
Please note that
in light of Tuesday's tragic events in New York and Washington, security
may be increased around the courthouse, however the trial will continue
on as planned. You are reminded to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to
each hearing to give yourself enough time to park and make your way through
security.
Please also note
the time change for Thursday's session. It will now begin @1:30pm
on September 13, 2001. Stay tuned for additional details. Thank
you.
TRIAL DAY FIVE
Tuesday, September
11, 2001
The court heard today
from two journalists who interviewed Joga Sandher from prison on January
24, 2000, one day after he murdered Ajmer. Court will resume on Wednesday,
September 12, 2001 @ 9:30am. Stay tuned for more information. Thank
you.
TRIAL DAY FOUR
Monday, September
10, 2001
The court heard from
several more witnesses, all of whom were called on behalf of the
prosecution. Included among them were the owners of the gun
shop where Joga Sandher purchased the AR-15 type assault rifle just thirteen
days prior to Ajmer's murder. The court also heard testimony from
another Contra Costa County Deputy Sheriff as well as a ballistic
expert from the crime lab.
Please note the time
change for Tuesday's scheduled session. Court will be in session
for just one hour from 11am-12 noon on Tuesday, September 11, 2001.
Normal court schedule is expected to resume on Wednesday. Stay
tuned for more information. Thank you.
TRIAL DAY THREE
Friday, September
7, 2001
The prosecution continued
pressing its case against Joga Sandher by calling three more witnesses
who were at the Gurdwara on the now infamous day of January 23rd.
In addition, Judge Flier also heard from yet another deputy sheriff who
was one of the first officers to respond to the 911 call. It is expected
that the Prosecution will wrap up the guilt phase of the trial by Monday
at which time Judge Flier will render his verdict. After a verdict
has been rendered, the defense will present their opening arguments, marking
the beginning of the sanity phase of the trial. Court will reconvene
@ 9:30am on Monday September 10, 2001.
TRIAL DAY
TWO
Thursday, September
6, 2001
Deputy District Attorney
Tom O'Connor continued to lay out his case against Joga Sandher on behalf
of the People, by establishing the various elements that comprised the
crime scene. Witnesses for the prosecution, including one of the
lead homicide detectives, testified before Judge Flier. Court will reconvene
@ 9:30am on Friday, September 7, 2001. The courtroom was filled with
more family and friends, in addition to those who came yesterday.
Your continued support has meant a great deal to the Malhi family, as they,
like all of us, have been forced to relive those final minutes of Ajmer's
life. You are also encouraged to check the media links, as relevant
news articles are being posted as they appear in local papers. Please
continue to check back for additional details.
THE TRIAL HAS
BEGUN
Wednesday, September
5, 2001
After 18 months of delays
and postponements, the trial finally began this morning in the presence
of numerous friends and family members of Ajmer. Judge Flier heard
testimony from the pathologist, forensic criminologist, and
two Contra Costa County Sheriff's Deputies. Court will reconvene
on Thursday September 6, 2001 @9:30am. All those that knew and loved
Ajmer are humbly requested to join those who have been in attendance as
the Malhi family needs your support now more than ever. Whether you
can attend for just one hour, one day, or every day, your presence will
go a long way in showing those ultimately responsible for determining Joga
Sandher's fate how much his actions have hurt us all. Please check
back for further updates.
Thank you.
TRIAL TO OFFICIALLY
BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2001
Deputy District Tom O'Connor has informed
us this morning that the trial will officially begin with opening arguments
set to begin on Wednesday, September 5 @ 9AM. The defendant has waived
his right to a jury trial which means that the case will now be tried
solely in front of Judge Richard Flier.
Judge Flier is held in very high regard
amongst all that have worked with him, including senior members within
the district attorney's office. This development means that length
of the trial will not take as long as had been previously suggested.
The revised timetable has the case lasting anywhere from 2-3 weeks, provided
that there are no significant delays.
The overall timetable will have this case
being heard on almost a daily basis from the beginning to the end with
the morning portion beginning around 9:30am and concluding around 4pm.
There is a scheduled lunch break between 12:00-1:30pm.
On a personal note, it should not be forgotten
that this is a murder trial and the evidence will be disturbing at times.
Those attending who do not wish to sit in the courtroom while such evidence
is being presented are encouraged to quietly leave the courtroom.
Your support, however is crucial now more than ever. Whether you
can attend for one day, or everyday, just remember that every little bit
helps. Please check the site daily for updated information.
The defendant has
entered a plea of "not guilty by reason of insanity". Court appointed Psychiatrists
have found that Sandher was sane when he killed Ajmer.
This trial will determine
his sanity or guilt. If found guilty Sandher faces 50 years to life in
Prison.
Parking is limited
so we recommend carpooling. Bring change for parking meters.
It is important to
arrive early as seating in the courtroom will be on a first come, first
serve basis.
The The hearing will
be held at:
Superior Court
- A.F. Bray Building
Judge Richard Flier
Dept #15, 2nd Floor
(first courtroom on your left as you exit the elevator)
1020 Ward Street
Martinez, CA
Directions
and Map
Joga Sandher's bail remains at $2.5 Million.
A memorial service
was held at Gurdwara Sahib El Sobrante on Sunday January 21st in honor
of the one year martyrdom anniversary of Ajmer Singh Malhi.
March 23,
2000
Joga Sandher was indicted by a secret grand
jury Wednesday, March 22, 2000. It only took 10 minutes for the grand jury
return to the indictment. A new hearing will be held April 3, 2000.
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February 10, 2000
- The Accused Assassin Joga Singh Sandher appeared for arraignment
today, plead not guilty and the judge set his bail at $2.5 million.
A hearing to set a preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 9, 2000 at
1:30pm.
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Family
Statement on the Death of Ajmer S. Malhi