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Dallas Ly has been convicted of second-degree murder for the killing of his mother in 2022. Ly, 23, stabbed his mother during a dispute and later decapitated her, dumping her remains on the side of the road in east Toronto.
The verdict was delivered by a jury at Toronto's Superior Court of Justice following a day of deliberations.
Ly faced charges of second-degree murder after fatally stabbing his mother, Tien Ly, in their shared Leslieville apartment in March 2022. Following the stabbing, Ly proceeded to decapitate his mother's body and dispose of it in garbage bags on Eastern Avenue.
Initially pleading not guilty at the start of his trial, Ly later admitted to the killing. His defense argued that the act was not premeditated murder but rather a response to a moment of panic and self-defense.
During his testimony, Ly described enduring years of abuse from his mother, including physical assaults with shoes, fists, and a wooden backscratcher that left scars. The defense presented photographic evidence of injuries on Ly's back allegedly caused by his mother's abuse.
Dr. Mitesh Patel, a psychiatrist at Youthdale Treatment Centre, testified for the defense, highlighting a history of severe child abuse and neglect in Ly's upbringing. He diagnosed Ly with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder, suggesting these conditions played a role in his actions.
Contrarily, the prosecution argued that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Ly had PTSD prior to the homicide. They suggested that any mental health conditions arose as a result of the killing.
The prosecution contended that Ly's actions were driven by anger toward his mother rather than a long-standing mental health condition. They noted inconsistencies in Ly's accounts of his mother's behavior, indicating a shift towards more aggressive descriptions over time.
A conviction of second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence for Ly. The timeline for his eligibility for parole will be determined at a later date.
In summary, Dallas Ly has been found guilty of second-degree murder for the stabbing and decapitation of his mother in 2022. The trial revealed allegations of long-term abuse suffered by Ly, with conflicting arguments about the role of mental health in the crime.
