Two men have been found guilty of homicide in a Surrey cold case this week.
It was on Oct. 26, 2006 when 25-year-old David Mitchell was beaten in a home in the 11000-block of Ravine Road in Surrey. Two days later, he died from the beating.
Eight years later, police had charges approved against four men in the death of Mitchell.
In June 2016, the trial began for the accused men and on Wednesday (July 13), the verdicts were read in court.
Khalid Damien Arnaout was found guilty of second degree murder and Charles Vincent Chambers was found guilty of manslaughter.
The other two accused men were found not guilty.
The family was relieved to have the two men convicted of their involvement in Mitchell’s killing.
“The wreckage of his loss has burdened us for nearly a decade. Today it feels as though a weight has been lifted,” the Mitchell family said in a prepared statement. “We are overwhelmed with the news of the two convictions for those responsible of taking his life.”
The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) was also pleased with the outcome.
“To see a homicide through to a conviction is very rewarding for all of IHIT, particularly 10 years after the crime,” said IHIT Staff Sgt. Jennifer Pound. “Time does not take away the negative impact that a homicide has on families, for this reason IHIT’s Cold Case Team ensures all available evidence is repeatedly evaluated despite the passage of time and sends a message that those who are responsible are held accountable for their actions.” A sentencing date will be determined on July 28, 2016.
