The Surrey man sentenced to 12 years for manslaughter and robbery with a firearm in the Newton shooting death of Pritpal Singh, 21, testified at trial that the gun went off accidentally while he was pistol-whipping his victim, an innocent stranger.
Robert Arthur Tomljenovic, 26, was originally charged with second-degree murder but was found guilty of the lesser charges for the April 7, 2020 killing in Newton. He was sentenced in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster.
Justice Laura Gerow noted in her , posted May 6, that Tomljenovic testified heB次元官网网址檇 been pistol whipping Singh with his gun B次元官网网址渋n order to subdue him so he could rob him when it discharged accidentally.
B次元官网网址淭he gun went off on two occasions with the second shot killing Mr. Singh as a result of a gunshot wound to the head. The pistol whipping went on for approximately six minutes before Mr. Singh was killed.B次元官网网址�
Besides the gunshot wound, a pathologist found 27 other wounds to his face and head. His nose was broken and he sustained lacerations, abrasions and contusions.
Gerow noted the killer ventured out that night with B次元官网网址渢he goal of finding someone to rob so he could purchase methamphetamine. At the time of the offences, Mr. Tomljenovic was addicted to methamphetamine. He had smoked his last half gram before leaving his residence.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淢r. Tomljenovic took a loaded gun into public for the purpose of robbing an innocent stranger in a residential neighbourhood,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淢r. TomljenovicB次元官网网址檚 attack on Mr. Singh was unprovoked.B次元官网网址�
The court heard at the time of the killing Singh was 143 pounds and stood five feet eight inches tall, where Tomljenovic is six feet three inches tall and weighed 270 pounds when he was arrested.
Tomljenovic already had a criminal record and at the time was on was on bail, on condition he not possess a weapon or use drugs.
On March 26, 2021 he pleaded guilty to assault, assault causing bodily harm, assaulting a police officer and disarming a police officer, all for which he was sentenced to nine months in jail.
B次元官网网址淒uring those offences Mr. Tomljenovic physically attacked two innocent strangers, and then when the police attended assaulted the police and disarmed one of them,B次元官网网址� Gerow noted.
SinghB次元官网网址檚 family lives in India. They were unable to attend the trial in person but attended the sentencing by video. Victim Impact Statements from them indicated Singh B次元官网网址渂rought joy and happiness into the lives of his family and friends,B次元官网网址� the judge noted.
tom.zytaruk@surreynowleader.com
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