Dutch man Aydin Coban convicted of sexually extorting B.C. teen Amanda Todd

WARNING: This text incorporates particulars of sexual extortion and will have an effect on those that have skilled it or know somebody affected by it.

Dutch nationwide Aydin Coban has been convicted of extortion, two counts of possession of kid pornography, baby luring and prison harassment towards Amanda Todd, the B.C. teenager whose story unfold across the globe after she died by suicide practically a decade in the past.

A jury delivered the verdict in Supreme Courtroom in New Westminster, B.C., after one day of deliberation. 

Todd’s mom, Carol Todd, sat within the again row of the viewers gallery Saturday, taking notes. She repositioned herself when Coban returned to the courtroom, inside his line of sight.

She reacted strongly as every responsible verdict was learn out in courtroom.

Coban, sporting a navy blue button down shirt, confirmed little emotion as the decision was learn.

Talking to CBC exterior the courtroom, Todd appeared overjoyed. Whereas she stated she did not need to use “joyful phrases” to explain the decision, she stated it was thrilling to lastly have some closure. She described the conviction on all counts as a “simply” determination — one which got here as a reduction, a few years after shedding her daughter.

“If I may say a message to Amanda, it might be that we at all times believed you,” she stated.

“She’s not right here, however she could also be someplace watching us. That is her second,” Todd added, thanking the B.C. authorities, Crown prosecutors and Dutch authorities for all of their laborious work.

Todd stated she believes the trial has set a precedent in Canada and all over the world that reveals individuals suspected of “sextortion” could be extradited to face trial out of the country.

The verdict comes after seven weeks of testimony involving dozens of witnesses, reveals and proof offered by Crown prosecutors previous to the beginning of closing arguments.

Coban’s defence lawyer didn’t name any proof within the trial.

On Friday, B.C. Supreme Courtroom Justice Martha Devlin spent the day instructing the jury they might solely discover Coban responsible of the costs towards him if the Crown had confirmed its case past an inexpensive doubt. In any other case, she stated, they have to acquit him.

Over the course of a number of hours, Devlin reviewed testimony and proof that had been offered to jurors in the course of the the prolonged and sophisticated trial. She guided the jurors by the definition of every prison depend sworn towards Coban, explaining to them the factors the Crown wanted to fulfill with a view to convict.

After returning to debate the subsequent steps to sentencing, Devlin stated she spoke to every member of the jury individually and thanked them for his or her work.

“They requested me to convey their honest appreciation to each the crown and defence on your professionalism and conduct all through [the trial],” she stated.

Years of harassment

Todd died by suicide on Oct. 10, 2012, on the age of 15, after being exploited on-line over a interval of three years. Earlier than she died, she instructed her story in a nine-minute video posted on YouTube.

The video unfold all over the world after her demise, with 14.8 million views as of August.

Coban, 44, had pleaded not responsible to 5 prison expenses regarding Todd’s case, together with extortion, possession of kid pornography and baby luring. He was not charged with Todd’s demise.

Crown lawyer Louise Kenworthy wrapped up her closing her arguments earlier final week, saying there was a “treasure trove of knowledge” linking Coban to the harassment and extortion of Todd.

Earlier within the trial, a Dutch officer testified that a deleted video file referred to as “AmandaTodd.wmv” had been performed on one of many gadgets in December 2010, corresponding with a time when Todd was being actively harassed.

However Coban’s defence argued that sharing a hyperlink is “not baby pornography.”

The video was despatched out as a hyperlink, however there was nothing to indicate it was saved as knowledge on the seized gadgets, Joseph Saulnier instructed the jury on the second day of his closing arguments.

The defence lawyer additionally disputed the Crown’s allegations that Coban was the one behind 22 on-line accounts that harassed and extorted Todd.

Earlier within the trial, the jury heard from a B.C. RCMP officer who had initially investigated Todd’s harassment allegations in 2011. He stated Todd needed the harassing messages she was receiving to cease.

Todd’s mother and father went to police when the messages to their daughter continued even after she had modified colleges.

Todd’s mom, Carol, has attended on daily basis of Coban’s trial, sitting in the back of the courtroom a number of metres from the prisoner’s field. The accused sat together with his again to her.

The Crown and Coban’s defence staff will reconvene with Justice Devlin on Thursday, Aug. 12 to set a date for a sentencing listening to.

Should you or somebody you understand is combating ideas of suicide, this is the place to get assist:

This information from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health outlines how one can discuss suicide with somebody you are fearful about.

Police additionally recommend the next to keep away from falling sufferer to sexual extortion:

• By no means reply video calls from individuals you do not know.
• Should you mistakenly join with somebody you do not know over reside stream, instantly hold up.
• All the time reply video calls with the digicam turned off till you understand the id of the particular person calling.

Anybody who finds themselves focused ought to instantly cease speaking with the suspected scammer and report it to police. Youngster exploitation could be reported on-line at www.cybertip.ca.

Police additionally say victims mustn’t adjust to threats, and will hold information of any correspondence with the perpetrator.