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Woman Found Not Criminally Responsible for Mother's Murder
20 Jun
Summary
- Woman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in mother's death.
- Court ruled she was not criminally responsible due to schizophrenia.
- She will be referred to the B.C. Review Board for treatment.
A woman from Delta, British Columbia, has been found not criminally responsible for the death of her mother, Sarabjit Kaur Panesar. Preety Teena Kaur Panesar had pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with her mother's death, whose body was discovered on December 18, 2023.
Both the prosecution and defense agreed that Preety should be found not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder. B.C. Supreme Court Justice Baljinder Kaur Girn accepted this, referencing medical assessments that indicated Preety suffered from schizophrenia. The court heard that her psychotic illness intensified in the months preceding the killing.
Justice Girn noted that Preety lacked the capacity to understand her actions were morally wrong due to delusional beliefs, perceiving her mother as a severe threat. Sarabjit Panesar was killed at their shared townhouse in Ladner. The cause of death involved multiple blunt and sharp force injuries.
The court acknowledged the family's endured tragedy and their support for Preety's recovery. Preety will be subject to DNA submission and a 10-year prohibition from possessing firearms. Her case will proceed to the B.C. Review Board, which will determine her treatment and potential future release.
