State closes case against strangling accused

The state yesterday closed its case against Paul Lo Hing, who is accused of strangling his girlfriend to death in their Sophia apartment.

Lo Hing is facing trial before Justice Diana Insanally and a jury for the murder of Shoala Gilgeous in 2012.

State attorney Natasha Backer closed the prosecution’s case after government pathologist Dr Nehaul Singh testified that Gilgeous was strangled and suffered blunt trauma to her head.

Shoala Gilgeous
Shoala Gilgeous

The defence is expected to lead its case today.

On Friday, Gilgeous’ brother, Alain, had testified that Lo Hing was responsible for his sister’s death.

He said Lo Hing had called him and told him that she was not breathing and he should carry her to the hospital.

The couple had been living together for about 10 months and Gilgeous’ relatives said she was a victim of domestic abuse and had made numerous reports to police about her situation.

Alain Gilgeous said sometime prior to his sister’s death, Lo Hing and her had a fight outside of their apartment and he had told the man that he “can’t be beating my [his] sister like that”. He said he was aware of constant fights between the two since Lo Hing moved into their adjoining apartment in February of that year.

Lo Hing is being represented by attorney Hukumchand.