By Canadian Press

Judge instructs jury before its deliberation in online extortion case of B.C. teen

Aug 5, 2022 | 1:53 PM

NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — The British Columbia Supreme Court justice in the trial of a Dutch man charged with harassing and extorting teenager Amanda Todd told the jury to “take special care” with the teen’s statements.

Justice Martha Devlin said because Todd died in October 2012 and didn’t testify and wasn’t able to be cross-examined at Aydin Coban’s trial, the jury needs to be aware of the limitations of evidence given. 

In her final instructions before deliberations can begin, Devlin said jury members should carefully examine the statements Todd gave to her parents, police officers and in her electronic communications when they consider Coban’s verdict. 

Coban pleaded not guilty to extortion, harassment, communication with a young person to commit a sexual offence and possession and distribution of child pornography at the start of the trial two months ago. 

Before summarizing the evidence and testimony provided in the 38-day trial, Devlin was careful to say that Coban was not charged with Todd’s death.

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Crown attorney Louise Kenworthy told the jury in her opening statements that Todd had been the victim of a persistent campaign of online “sextortion” before her death at age 15.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 5, 2022.

The Canadian Press