Christchurch High Court has found the partner of slain Indian man Hardeep Singh Deol guilty of murder. Franchesca Kororia Borell was found guilty of murdering her 26-year-old partner Hardeep Singh on December 25, 2016.
Ms Borell, 24, admitted to throwing the knife on her partner Mr Deol but claimed that her intention was not to kill. However, the crown presented the evidence that Mr Deol died of the stab wound. The jury sided with the Crown after the trial at the Christchurch High Court.
Some of Mr Deol’s family members travelled from India to attend the trial in Christchurch. However, his parents could not make it to New Zealand.
“We would like to acknowledge the impact this investigation has had and will continue to have on them, particularly on Hardeep’s parents who were unable to make it today,” Detective Sergeant Andrew Ownes said in a statement.
“We hope this result provides some closure to them, however, we know it does nothing to replace the loss of their son, brother and friend.
“We would like to thank the Christchurch Indian community, who along with the general public have assisted with this case. Our thoughts are also with the whänau of Borell as this has also impacted significantly on them,” he added.
Mr Doel hailed from the Rania town of Sirsa district in Haryana, India and came to New Zealand to study hotel management in 2014 after completing his B Tech from a private college in Malout, India.
He was on a work visa and had started working as a pivot builder at Precise Water Services in Christchurch in early November 2016.
Hardeep’s family have requested privacy at this time, but wish to thank those involved in bringing some closure and justice for Hardeep.