Emanuel Kahsai guilty of 1st-degree murder in deaths of mother, disabled woman

A Calgary jury has found Emanuel Kahsai guilty of murdering his mother and a disabled woman she cared for. Jurors deliberated about seven hours before reaching the verdict.

Kahsai, 32, was on trial on two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of his mother Selma Alem, 54, and Julie Tran, 25. The victims were stabbed to death in Alem's home in October 2015. Kahsai had recently threatened to kill his mother and she had gotten a emergency protection order against her son.

Alem's friends were in the courtroom for the verdict and sobbed when they realized he'd been found guilty.

"Justice is done, we knew he did it from the beginning," said Alem's best friend Susan Hills, who praised police and prosecutors.

"I'm overjoyed."

Before the jury was brought in, the judgetried to allow Kahsai to be in the courtroom, but he began shouting for someone to contact the White House, so he was once again removed to a remote room.

Prosecutors said they "couldn't have asked for anything better" from the jury.

"Not just the jury, but Mr. Justice Poelman has had to have the patience of Job in dealing with this individual," said Todd Buziak. "It's something I've never dealt with in my 26 years."

• What the jury didn't hear: accused double murderer faking psychotic illness

Jurors heard three weeks of evidence and began deliberating at1p.m.Wednesdayafternoon.

The self-represented Kahsai watchedand listenedto the proceedings from a remote room where his microphone wasmutedbecause of frequent outbursts during which he would shout at the judge and jurors about various conspiracy theories.

Reports preparedby psychiatrists and psychologists before the trial found Kahsai was faking a mental illness in order to escape criminal liability.

• Accused double murderer's rambling disruptions contrast sharply with his articulate interview with police
• Jurors in double murder trial ask about mental health of accused killer

"It's hard to maintain focus but ... the Crown leaves no stone unturned and that's what we did in this case," said Buziak's co-counsel MattDalidowicz.

The women were stabbed to death and their blood was found on Kahsai'sshoes when he was arrested hours after the bodies were discovered.

A first-degree murder verdict comes with an automatic life sentence with no chance of parole for 25 years.

Buziakand Dalidowicz say they will seek a consecutive parole ineligibility period of 50 years for the double murder.

Nine jurors recommendKahsaiserve 50 years in prison before being allowed to apply for parole, three made no recommendations.

A sentencing hearing will take place next week when at least two victim impact statements will be read.

When Kahsai's microphone was un-muted after the verdict, half of his statement made sense before he delved back into his demands for help from U.S. authorities.

"I ask for information on an appeal and if you can contact the FBI," he said.

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