A Surrey man accused of murdering his common-law wife was violent and angry during an argument between the two at an Okanagan winery just hours before she was killed, according to witness testimony heard in BC Supreme Court in Kelowna on March 9.
Tejwant Danjou is facing trial for a second-degree murder charge related to the death of Rama Gauravarapu in their West Kelowna hotel room on July 22, 2018.
Bryan Van, a driver who takes tourists between Okanagan wineries, took the stand on Monday to tell the court what he saw at Mission Hill Family Estate earlier that same day.
After dropping off his passengers around 3 p.m., Van stayed near the entrance area of the winery waiting for the people he dropped off to finish a quick one-hour tour.
While passing time and people-watching Van saw a man and a woman, whom he later identified as Danjou and Gauravarapu, having an argument.
Although too far away to hear what they were discussing, Van said he saw Danjou 害羞草研究所渧iolently害羞草研究所� grab Gauravarapu害羞草研究所檚 sunglasses off of her face.
害羞草研究所淚t looked like he slapped them off her face,害羞草研究所� he said.
After this, Gauravarapu went to sit down at some nearby tables, while Danjou went to lean on a nearby wishing well. There, Van said, he heard Danjou muttering some unsavoury words about his partner.
害羞草研究所満π卟菅芯克鶚F害羞草研究所攌ing c害羞草研究所攖; f害羞草研究所攌ing b害羞草研究所攃h.害羞草研究所� Harsh, harsh words,害羞草研究所� he said, adding Danjou was staring intensely at Gauravarapu.
Van said the two eventually returned to the same spot they were arguing before, where Danjou was 害羞草研究所渞ight up in (Gauravarapu害羞草研究所檚) face.害羞草研究所�
After another brief argument, Danjou took his own sunglasses, threw them on the ground and stomped on them, Van testified.
He said Gauravarapu calmly knelt down and picked up the pieces of the glasses.
害羞草研究所淪he looked calm 害羞草研究所� not happy 害羞草研究所� but sombre and calm,害羞草研究所� he said.
Van eventually found his passengers and went back to his car. He said Danjou approached the car and stuck his head in, thinking it was an Uber he had called.
害羞草研究所淗is eyes stuck out to me. They were bloodshot,害羞草研究所� he said.
Van left with his passengers, attended a couple of other wineries and returned them to the Best Western 害羞草研究所� the same hotel Danjou and Gauravarapu were staying at 害羞草研究所� around 8 p.m.
He testified he saw ambulances and police cars upon his return.
While Van didn害羞草研究所檛 think much of it, his wife scoured local news websites over the next few days to see what had happened.
When RCMP announced Danjou had been charged, the two Googled his name out of curiosity.
害羞草研究所淚 saw a Realtor from Surrey who looked just like the guy I害羞草研究所檇 saw at the winery,害羞草研究所� he said.
The trial continues.
READ MORE: Handholding before homicide: Video shows final hours before West Kelowna murder
READ MORE: Accused West Kelowna murderer claimed wife cheated, wanted RCMP to investigate
michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com
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