VANCOUVER The first-degree murder trial of Rogelio ‘Butch’ Bagabuyo, a former lawyer from Kamloops, B.C., has reached its conclusion at the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver. Bagabuyo stands accused of murdering his former client, Mohd Abdullah, a lecturer at Thompson Rivers University, on March 11, 2022. The case has garnered significant public interest due to the nature of the crime and the background of both the accused and the victim.
During the proceedings, Justice Kathleen Ker stated that the decision regarding Bagabuyo’s fate would be delivered in Kamloops, the location where the alleged murder took place. This decision is viewed as a way to connect both the trial and its verdict back to the community directly impacted by the events.
The trial disclosed that Abdullah had enlisted Bagabuyo’s legal services in 2016. Their relationship, however, took a dark turn as they allegedly colluded to conceal money during Abdullah’s divorce from his wife. Over time, Bagabuyo is accused of misappropriating more than $780,000 that was meant for Abdullah, leading to increased tensions between them. Crown prosecutor Ann Katrine Saettler argued in her closing statements that Bagabuyo had meticulously planned the murder for over a week after he recognized that Abdullah was becoming increasingly frustrated with the failure to recover his funds.
In his defense, lawyer Mark Swartz contended that Abdullah's death was “unexpected.” Bagabuyo does not deny that he killed Abdullah at his office, but he asserts that the incident should be classified as manslaughter rather than murder. This difference in classification is crucial as it could lead to a significantly lighter sentence, reflecting varying degrees of culpability under the law.
Details emerged during the trial about the moments following the murder. Bagabuyo was arrested on March 18, 2022, just a day after Abdullah's body was discovered inside a tote bag by the grandson of a friend who had unknowingly assisted Bagabuyo in renting a van and finding a location to dispose of the tote. This chilling revelation painted a picture of a premeditated act followed by attempts to cover it up. Initially, Bagabuyo faced charges related to indignity to human remains, but more than a year later, the charges were upgraded to first-degree murder.
Throughout the trial, the B.C. Law Society has indicated that Bagabuyo is no longer practicing as a lawyer. This incident not only has devastating implications for the individuals directly involved but also raises questions about the ethical responsibilities and oversight in the legal profession. Currently, Bagabuyo has been out on bail since July 12, 2023, awaiting the final verdict concerning his charges.
This case continues to evolve as it traverses the legal system, capturing the attention of the public and underlining the profound consequences of betrayal and greed. The outcome of the trial holds significant implications not just for Bagabuyo but also for the victim’s family, the legal community, and society at large.
