The Crown prosecutor in the first-degree murder trial of a former lawyer from Kamloops, British Columbia, asserted that the defendant meticulously orchestrated the killing of his client over a period exceeding one week.
During the closing arguments, Ann Katrine Saettler informed a Vancouver judge at the B.C. Supreme Court that Rogelio “Butch” Bagabuyo had composed a “planning note” instructing himself to pack everything afterward, avoid bringing his mobile phone or E-watch, deactivate his GPS, and discard his trash.
Bagabuyo stands accused of first-degree murder in the death of his client, Mohd Abdullah, a lecturer at Thompson Rivers University, on March 11, 2022.
According to Saettler, Bagabuyo’s attorney, Mark Swartz, acknowledged on Monday that his client had killed Abdullah but argued it was manslaughter, not premeditated murder.
The court learned that Abdullah had engaged Bagabuyo’s legal services in 2016, and together they allegedly conspired to conceal significant sums of money during Abdullah’s marital separation. Subsequently, it was revealed that Abdullah had transferred over $780,000 to Bagabuyo between 2016 and 2022.
Saettler highlighted that a forensic accountant testified that 63% of the funds deposited to Bagabuyo over seven years originated from Abdullah. She emphasized that Bagabuyo had been living off the money he promised to safeguard for Abdullah, delaying its return by fabricating excuses such as setting up shell corporations or expressing concerns over tax matters.
The Crown’s argument posited that Bagabuyo, feeling the pressure from Abdullah to return the money, decided on March 1, 2022, that he could no longer deceive Abdullah and thus formulated a plan. Saettler presented evidence that Bagabuyo had financial troubles, had not reported income to tax authorities, was heavily indebted, and faced scrutiny from the Law Society.
To demonstrate premeditation, Saettler showed a video of Bagabuyo purchasing a tote from Home Depot, identical to the one where Abdullah’s body was later discovered. She contended that the choice of such a bin for storing legal documents was unreasonable, supporting the prosecution’s claim of deliberate planning.
Saettler asserted that Bagabuyo fatally stabbed Abdullah during a meeting at the law office, which was undergoing renovations following a fire. She highlighted that Bagabuyo had been observed carrying a duffel bag into the building a couple of hours before the encounter, containing items necessary for the murder and subsequent cleanup.
After committing the crime, Bagabuyo allegedly wrapped Abdullah’s body, placed it in the tote, and transported it in his vehicle. The prosecutor pointed out that the defendant’s backyard cameras showed unusual gaps during specific dates, implying premeditated actions leading up to the murder.
Bagabuyo was arrested on March 18, 2022, following the discovery of Abdullah’s body in the tote by a neighbor’s grandson. Initially charged with indignity to human remains, he was later indicted with first-degree murder. Bagabuyo has been on bail since July 12, 2023.
In the courtroom, Bagabuyo, attired in a dark pinstriped suit with a blue dress shirt and tie, listened to the proceedings. A conviction for first-degree murder carries a life sentence without parole for 25 years, while manslaughter sentences vary depending on the circumstances. The B.C. Law Society confirmed that Bagabuyo is no longer practicing law, and a custodian was appointed to close his legal practice in May 2022.
