Fate of Shafia family now lies in the hands of 12 jurors

By Katrina Geenevasen

After months of testimony, countless transcripts, and a pile of evidence, the 12 jurors in the Shafia trial are now faced with their most difficult task yet.

It is up to them to determine whether the three accused are guilty of homicide, or simply parents and a brother mourning the deaths of their daughters and sisters, and a second wife and mother.

Mohammad Shafia, his wife Tooba Yahya and their son Hamed are each accused in the deaths of four women.

Zaniab, Sahar and Geeti Shafia, along with Rona Amir were found drowned in the Kingston Mills locks in June 2009.

The judge spent nearly seven hours reviewing testimony, going over evidence that was shown throughout the case.

He reviewed the Crown’s theory; that the deaths were not accidental, but a planned and deliberate murder.

The crown contents it was the Shafia’s plan to mask the murder as an accident and they each had a motive for murder.

Defense argues the opposite, saying Zaniab took the car without her parents permission and ended up driving the car into the locks accidentally that rainy June night.

During the course of the trial, jurors have heard from 58 witnesses and seen 160 exhibits.