Deliberations at Dashti accused’s trial set to start

Updated A jury will begin deliberating tomorrow on whether Patrick Smith is guilty of the first degree murder of Elham Dashti.

She was tending her High Times store in downtown Hamilton in May of 2010 when she was killed.

The defence says Patrick Smith had never been in trouble before and was acting under the paranoia and impulsiveness he got from drugs and alcohol. The crown says Smith planned everything carefully, and knew that his actions were likely to lead to Dashti’s death; and he had a perfect recollection of the events even eight months later when he confessed.

Lisa Hepfner was in court to hear both closing arguments.