Man pleads guilty to manslaughter in North Vancouver kidnapping death
A man has pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter in connection with a high-profile abduction and slaying in North Vancouver.
Tian Yi Eddie Zhang was initially charged with first-degree murder and kidnapping after the body of Chinese national Peng Sun, 22, was found in a quiet residential street in September 2015.
His trial had been scheduled to get underway later this month, but following discussions between the Crown and defence, he entered a plea Thursday in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver to the lesser and included offence of manslaughter.
Zhang, who has been in custody since his arrest, also pleaded guilty to the unlawful confinement of the victim and to the extortion of Cang Sun and Hau Li, the parents of Sun.
The accused’s pleas were entered before B.C. Supreme Court Justice Jim Williams, who verified that Zhang had made the pleas voluntarily and that he understood that the court was not bound by any agreement of the lawyers on sentencing.
Zhang, who was assisted in his pleas by a Mandarin interpreter, wore red prison clothing during the brief court appearance.
Manslaughter carries a maximum sentence of life in prison but typically results in a shorter jail term. The length of the jail term depends upon a number of factors, including the circumstances of the offence and the offender.
Full details of the slaying will be outlined during a sentencing hearing expected Feb. 21.
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team was called to the scene after Sun’s body was found in the 900-block Wellington Drive.
Three vehicles, a black BMW SUV, a white Bentley and a Chevrolet Malibu, were hauled from the crime scene on flatbed trucks. Only the Bentley had a tarp placed over it, prompting residents to suspect the victim was inside that vehicle.
Casey James Hiscoe, Zhang’s coaccused, is expected to make his next appearance in B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver on Feb. 15. He was also charged with kidnapping.
Two other men who were arrested and charged with interfering with a dead body have had their charges stayed.
Zhang has also been charged with additional offences relating to a separate incident in Richmond two weeks before the slaying. He was accused of forcible confinement, assault and uttering threats.