An alleged gangster charged with first-degree murder in connection with an April killing outside a popular Vancouver waterfront restaurant will have his trial in English.
French-Canadian Francois Joseph Gauthier is charged with one count of first-degree murder and one count of possessing a loaded prohibited or restricted firearm.
Gauthier appeared in Vancouver Provincial Court on Dec. 17 to set a trial date. Before that could be arranged, the issue of choice of language for the trial — a Canadian right — had to be settled.
“He is not electing to be tried in the French language,” Gauthier's lawyer told the judge.
“I don’t need a translator,” Gauthier said, appearing via videoconferencing from North Fraser Pretrial Centre in Port Coquitlam.
Police responded to calls of shots fired outside Cardero’s restaurant at Coal Harbour on the evening of April 17.
Harpreet Singh Dhaliwal, 31, was pronounced dead on scene after first responders were unsuccessful in reviving him.
Police said at the time that the shooting appeared to be targeted. Spokesperson Const. Tania Visintin said while there was believed to be no further public safety risk, there was the potential for an impact on members of the public.
Dhaliwal was reputed to be a member of the Brothers Keepers gang.
Six alleged members of Brothers Keepers have been in the same court in recent weeks on drug-trafficking charges.
Dhaliwal’s killing was Vancouver’s fifth of 2021.
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