Yosef Gopaul Gets 12 Years For The Vicious Beating Death Of Julie Paskall!
Julie Paskall, the 53-year-old Surrey, B.C. woman who was viciously attacked while picking up her son from a hockey tournament, died of her injuries on Dec. 31, 2013. Yosef Gopaul, who had moved from Ontario to Surrey only a week when he committed the crime, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and robbery and has been sentenced to 12 years in jail.
SURREY – A disturbed South Asian man with a lengthy history of violence pleaded guilty to killing Surrey hockey mom Julie Paskall.
Yosef Gopaul, 28, was charged with second-degree murder in May last year, but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter Friday, as well as one count of robbery in connection with the brutal beating death of Paskall.
Gopaul has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for the death of Paskall and the robbery of another woman, less the 18 months already served.
“These are crimes that terrorized a community and caused many people to be afraid,” Crown lawyers said.
The team leading the probe into Paskall’s death said they’re satisfied with the court outcome, noting that the “tragic and senseless” act galvanized the community of Surrey.
“The impact these crimes have on the family, police and communities as a whole are evident and very powerful,” said IHIT Supt. Dwayne McDonald. “This impact continues to be the driving force behind police in all jurisdictions joining together to bring those responsible to justice.”
“First, and most importantly, I would like to acknowledge the families that are left to deal with the devastation created by Yosef Gopaul’s crimes. The investigations and the resulting court processes can be very difficult for a family to go through. I hope the submissions and guilty plea assist them in their journey towards healing,” said Supt. Bill Fordy, Officer in Charge of Surrey RCMP.
The victim’s husband Al Paskall read a victim impact statement in a Surrey courtroom Friday following the guilty plea, reported CTV news.
“I have no life. I just exist. I am on autopilot,” Al Paskall told the courtroom.
Crown prosecutors say Paskall was approached from behind and hit in the head with a rock the size of a softball while she waited for her teenage son to finish refereeing at the Newton Arena.
Every bone in her face was broken during the robbery attempt, the court heard. She was rushed to hospital, but died of her injuries two days later.
An agreed statement of facts read out in court detailed 29 criminal convictions dating back to when Gopaul was a teen.
Gopaul moved to Surrey from Ontario eight weeks before Paskall was killed.
He served a federal sentence for aggravated assault after a woman was viciously attacked in Brampton, Ontario in 2009.
Parole documents obtained by CTV News found that Gopaul was considered a high risk “for both general and violent recidivism.” The board described him as having drug and alcohol abuse issues, and threatening behavior.
A corrections worker said they felt Gopaul viewed violence as an acceptable means of dealing with problems.
