Defence lawyers in murder trial call no evidence, say Crown didn't prove defendant killed B.C. girl

Lawyers for a man charged with first-degree murder have told the jury in his trial that they will not be calling any evidence in defence of allegations he sexually assaulted and killed a 13-year-old girl in Burnaby, B.C.

Defence lawyer Kevin McCulloughtold the jury the Crown hasn't met the burden of proof to find Ibrahim Ali guilty.

Justice Lance Bernard told the jury Tuesday that the evidentiary portion of the trial has now concluded and closing arguments from both the Crown and defence are expected to begin in about a week.

Ali pleaded not guilty to the charge of murdering the teenager, whose name has been protected by a publication ban.

The girl's body was found in Burnaby's Central Park in July 2017, just hours after her mother reported her missing.

The jury heard from almost 50 Crown witnesses, including police, civilians and experts.

One of the key witnesses was Christine Crossman, an RCMP forensic biologist, who testified that Ali's DNA was found inside the body of the girl.

On cross-examination, defence focused on the fact Ali's genetic profile was not found elsewhere on the victim and suggested that "the person who had sex"with the teen mightnot be the one who killed her.

The jury also heard from police officers who first found the girl's body, those who handled DNA and others who served the warrant for Ali's arrest.

The girl's mother, brother and a friend also testified about their relationships and final interactions with the girl the day she died.

Forensic pathologist Dr. Jason Morin, who conducted the autopsy, testified that the girl had been strangled and had numerous injuries on her body.

On Nov. 7, Bernard instructed the jury to disregard testimony byDr. Tracy Pickett, aspecialist in emergency and clinical forensic medicine, who was found dead on Sept. 28.

Crown attorney Isobel Keeley told the court during her opening statement in April that evidence would show the teen was walking through the park when she was dragged off a pathway into the forest, then sexually assaulted and strangled.

The defence did not reveal its theory of events to the jury.