Inderdeep Singh Gosal convicted of manslaughter in Vancouver Starbucks stabbing

Indian-origin man Inderdeep Singh Gosal has been convicted of manslaughter for fatally stabbing Paul Schmidt during a confrontation over smoking at a Starbucks in downtown Vancouver. Gosal was acquitted of second-degree murder in the March 26, 2023 incident. He has been in custody since his arrest shortly after the stabbing, CTV News reported.

The confrontation began after Schmidt objected to Gosal smoking cannabis near the café’s entrance. The exchange became physical when Schmidt approached Gosal. Justice Kathleen Ker said CCTV footage was the most reliable evidence presented during the trial. The footage showed Schmidt advancing towards Gosal, who removed a knife from his hoodie pocket. The judge found that Schmidt initiated the physical confrontation. She said he adopted a fighting stance, punched towards Gosal and began cornering him. Gosal stabbed Schmidt six times in the torso and neck. Schmidt, who was at the café with his partner and their three-year-old child, collapsed on the patio 28 seconds after the fight began.

Ker accepted that Gosal feared for his life during the confrontation. However, she ruled that his actions exceeded the limits of self-defence. The judge said Gosal was still acting in the heat of the moment when he used the knife, but was no longer acting in self-defence. Police arrived shortly after the stabbing, and Gosal surrendered. An officer testified that Gosal told police: “I did it. He came after me.”

The court also heard that Gosal has schizophrenia, psychotic symptoms and delusions of reference. Gosal testified that he had stopped taking his antipsychotic medication. Prosecutors highlighted inconsistencies in his account, including his explanation of how he obtained the knife, his claims about alcohol consumption and statements he gave psychiatrists about his mental state. Ker said Gosal’s testimony contained significant inconsistencies. However, she found that the evidence left her with reasonable doubt about whether he was guilty of second-degree murder. The Crown, she ruled, had not met the burden required for that conviction. The court has not scheduled a sentencing hearing. Gosal could receive credit for time already spent in custody.