Man who killed partner on Okanagan weekend getaway to be sentenced

The Surrey man who killed his longtime girlfriend while on a weekend getaway to the Okanagan could learn today how long he will be behind bars.

Tejwant Danjou was found guilty earlier this year of the July 2018 second-degree murder of his partner Rama Gauravarapu at the West Kelowna Best Western.

Second-degree murder convictions carry mandatory life sentences and have minimum parole eligibility of 10 years. However, in some cases, the minimum parole eligibility requirement may be as long as 25 years.

Today, Sept. 14, Crown counsel made the case for a 13- to 14-year term, until parole eligibility. Defence is set to make her argument to Justice Alison Beames later this afternoon. When Beames will render her decision remains to be seen.

Crown has maintained throughout the process that Danjou was an abusive and violent man long before he killed Gauravarapu.

Danjou was described as a jealous partner who accused Gauravarapu of having affairs and flirting with strangers who she had conversed with in passing or was seated next to on planes. A doctor for the defence said he had "delusional disorder jealousy type," among other mental health issues, which included a drinking problem.

The cause of Gauravarapu's death was listed as blunt force trauma, but she had 52 areas of injury. There were injuries to her face, she had defensive wounds on her arms and hands, and there was a 20 centimetre cut to her neck.

On the day of the murder, the couple spent hours at a winery, which court heard ended in arguments and Danjou getting a separate room at the hotel.

Later, they were in the same room when staff received noise complaints.

A staff member who went to check noticed blood on Danjou's clothes and Gauravarapu on the floor injured, asking for help. She called 911.

Gauravarapu died shortly after paramedics arrived while Danjou hid in a dumpster until he was rooted out by a police dog and lifted out by a Mountie.

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