‘How do you treat evil?’
Canuck’s torture murder trial coming to a close
In a nondescript Los Angeles courtroom, Canadian real estate heir and pop culture dilettante Blake Leibel is on trial for his life.
The 37-year-old Hollywood fringe player is accused of the gruesome torture-murder of his Ukrainian girlfriend, Iana Kastian, 30.
Veteran detectives, coroners and observers of L.A.’s often bizarre and sordid crime scene are describing the 2016 slaying as one of the worst in that city’s history.
Cops say her ordeal went on for an agonizing eight hours.
Leibel went on trial for first-degree murder on June 8 and the case is supposed to wrap up this week.
He has pleaded not guilty. Here’s what’s happened so far:
THE LATEST
One of Leibel’s pals was booted from the courtroom Monday, according to Postmedia News. Judge Mark Windham called Jeremy Tenser — who remains convinced of Leibel’s innocence — on the carpet after a juror complained the entertainment lawyer was following her.
“This juror was so frightened by the behaviour that she described that this court was forced to relieve her,” Windham said.
Tenser called the accusation “absurd” even though he had been ordered to stay away from other jurors last week.
Leibel’s defence lawyer said she had nothing to do with Tenser.
WILL LEIBEL TESTIFY?
It doesn’t look like it. As lawyer Haydeh Takasugi quickly wrapped up the Toronto trustafarian’s defence, the judge told Leibel now was the time if he was going to testify. He did not change his mind.
THE EVIDENCE
The prosecution took jurors through a harrowing description of Kasian’s last hours. Witnesses said the model and mother of one lived for a horrifying eight hours while she was tortured to death. One of her ears had been cut off and her pretty face battered, her eyebrows had also been removed and she was scalped to the bone. All the blood had been drained from her body.
THE GRAPHIC NOVEL
Leibel’s one claim to fame in a life devoid of little accomplishment was his moderately successful graphic novel, Syndrome. In truth, he provided artists, writers and editors with a two-page overview that the pros fleshed out. Writer Robert Ryan testified Leibel had final say on the 2010 production.
“The question we all latched onto was, ‘How do you treat evil?’” Ryan testified.
But the sickening murders detailed in Syndrome bear a chilling resemblance to the monstrous deeds that unfolded at Leibel’s West Hollywood condo.
Prosecutors allege Leibel used the gorefest as a template for his vile deeds.
WHAT NEXT
Closing arguments are expected to be wrapped up by Wednesday.
If convicted, Leibel’s future will be far from luxurious. He will either spend the rest of his life in a California prison or he will face the needle in the Golden State’s death chamber.