A Canadian judge has convicted a man of manslaughter in the stabbing death of another man outside a Vancouver Starbucks, ruling that the victim initiated the physical altercation. Inderdeep Singh Gosal, 34, admitted to stabbing Paul Schmidt, 37, six times on March 26, 2023.
British Columbia Supreme Court Justice Kathleen Ker determined on Wednesday that surveillance footage showed Schmidt was the initial aggressor. The footage indicated that Schmidt, who was pushing his three-year-old daughter in a stroller, confronted Gosal, who was smoking marijuana on the Starbucks patio. Ker stated that Schmidt "quickly advancing on Mr. Gosal" and adopting a "fighting stance" initiated the conflict.
Schmidt then confronted, punched, and cornered Gosal, according to the judge's description. Gosal then produced a knife and stabbed Schmidt. The entire encounter, from the start of the physical fight to Schmidt collapsing on the patio, lasted approximately 28 seconds.
Gosal surrendered to police who arrived shortly after the incident, reportedly stating, "I did it. He came after me."
Gosal's defense argued for a manslaughter charge, citing "overreaction due to mental illness" rather than a deliberate intent to kill. His lawyers stated Gosal has schizophrenia and experiences psychotic symptoms and delusions, and had stopped taking antipsychotic medication three months prior. He believed a knife he found was a "sign from God."
Prosecutors questioned Gosal's account, noting inconsistent statements regarding the knife's origin and his alcohol consumption, as well as varying descriptions of his mental state to psychiatrists. Justice Ker acknowledged the inconsistencies in Gosal's testimony but ultimately accepted that he may have feared for his life. "He was no longer acting in self-defense, but he was still acting in the heat of the moment, likely disinhibited and angry and responding to a situation where he perceived his life was in danger," Ker stated.
Gosal may receive credit for time served at his upcoming sentencing hearing, the date for which has not yet been set. The stabbing occurred in front of Schmidt's partner and young daughter.