The first-degree murder trial for B.C. gangster Ekene Dillichuwu Anigbo continued in Kelowna Supreme Court on March 23 for day 12 of 73.
Anigbo has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge for the death of 57-year-old Naramata woman Kathleen Richardson.
On June 9, 2021, Richardson was found dead in her home, where the Crown said she was restrained and shot twice in the left side of her face, killing her. Two years later, in April 2023, Anigbo and suspected co-conspirator Jalen Falk were arrested in connection with her death.
The primary undercover officer in an operation to gather information from Falk as a suspect in the case was called by Crown counsel to testify before the court.
The officer told Justice Allison Beams that the undercover operation included a fictitious organization that was looking to hire, and Falk had been recommended as a candidate. After meeting and entering into a working relationship, the police were able to execute a search warrant and conduct a covert download of Falk’s cell phone to gather evidence.
Falk pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of Richardson and was sentenced on Feb. 24 to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for 16 years.
Before the sentence was read, Falk stood before the court and said he was “sincerely and profoundly sorry.”
The trial for Anigbo is expected to last until June.