The dual arraignments of a man on Vancouver and Surrey murder charges have been delayed due to a large amount of disclosure yet to be received by the defence, provincial court judges heard July 2.
The 21-year-old accused man appeared in Vancouver Provincial Court on a charge of second-degree murder with another appearance for the same charge involving another death in Surrey.
Nahom Gizaw is charged with two counts related to the deaths of two men in the cities in 2022 and 2023.
Gizaw remains in custody.
The charges came after two years of police investigations into the homicides.
The joint investigation of the Vancouver Police Department and Integrated Homicide Investigation Team led to the arrest of a suspect for the murders.
Maanav Kinkar, 18, was found dead at Hazelnut Meadows Park near 140 Street and 68 Avenue in Surrey on May 26, 2022. IHIT initiated an investigation and began the search for a suspect.
Ten months later, on March 3, 2023, 22-year-old Caleb Morin, was stabbed and killed at a residence near Boundary Road and East 45th Avenue in Vancouver.
Although the two murder victims had no connection, Vancouver police worked collaboratively with IHIT to gather evidence that eventually linked a single suspect to both cases.
Appearing before Vancouver Provincial Court Judge Laura Bakan, defence lawyer Tony Lagemaat agreed to an adjournment until July 23.
“There is a large amount of outstanding disclosure to come,” he said.
An adjournment of three to four weeks had been suggested but Lagemaat said he was reluctant to take that amount of time.
The arraignments one the charges are now set for July 15 in Surrey and July 23 in Vancouver.
