Large crowd, tight security
at Sikh murder arraignment
YUBA CITY (2/19/03) -- More than 80 friends and relatives of Prabjot Bains crammed a Sutter County courtroom Wednesday to glimpse the man accused of killing him in a dispute over a woman's honor.
For security reasons Lakhwinder Singh, 36, of Yuba City was held at the jail and arraigned on an open count of homicide via a closed circuit television link to the courtroom.
Singh was apprehended by witnesses and sheriff's deputies Saturday after allegedly shooting Bains, 28, during an argument thought to be over the reputation of Bains's sister-in-law.
Conversing through a Punjabi court interpreter, Singh was introduced to a defense attorney retained to represent him, but delayed entering a plea until next week. His turban was removed and sat handcuffed while talking.
Damron set further hearings for 11 am. Monday at which time Singh is expected to enter a plea and file a motion to lower his $1 million bail.
A standing-room-only crowd of angry Sikhs watched stonily as Singh questioned the court about his attorney, Michael Barrette, via TV.
Before recessing Superior Court Judge Robert Damron welcomed the orderly audience to future hearings, but counseled them to refrain from discussing the case inside the courthouse.
"This is an emotional case, I know … but people just get in trouble" by arguing, Damron said.
Bains was a favored nephew of farming and real estate mogul Didar Bains, the acknowledged patriarch of Sutter County's tight-knit Sikh community.
Didar Bains himself appeared at the hearing, calling his nephew's death "sad, very sad."
Also a farmer, Prabjot Bains was a high school sports star and was highly respected throughout the extended Sikh family, his brother, Harkirat Bains, said.
"He was Didar's son's very best friend," Harkirat Bains said.
The incident was especially upsetting to family members, Harkirat Bains aid, because Singh had been a traveling musician-priest trusted in homes to perform religious celebrations and read the holy book.
But Singh had allegedly nreeched that trust by forming an inappropriate affection for Prabjot Bains's married sister-in-law.
A love note Singh allegedly left on the woman's windshield Feb. 11 prompted her to complain, which ultimately led to the fatal confrontation, Harkirat Bains recounted.
Singh remains in custody on $1 million bail, but the normal 10 percent security bond for is only $100,000 and Bains family members expressed fears that Singh could easily raise the amount and flee the country.
"He'll skip. He's a citizen of India and he'll be gone," Sarb Thiara said.
at Sikh murder arraignment
YUBA CITY (2/19/03) -- More than 80 friends and relatives of Prabjot Bains crammed a Sutter County courtroom Wednesday to glimpse the man accused of killing him in a dispute over a woman's honor.
For security reasons Lakhwinder Singh, 36, of Yuba City was held at the jail and arraigned on an open count of homicide via a closed circuit television link to the courtroom.
Singh was apprehended by witnesses and sheriff's deputies Saturday after allegedly shooting Bains, 28, during an argument thought to be over the reputation of Bains's sister-in-law.
Conversing through a Punjabi court interpreter, Singh was introduced to a defense attorney retained to represent him, but delayed entering a plea until next week. His turban was removed and sat handcuffed while talking.
Damron set further hearings for 11 am. Monday at which time Singh is expected to enter a plea and file a motion to lower his $1 million bail.
A standing-room-only crowd of angry Sikhs watched stonily as Singh questioned the court about his attorney, Michael Barrette, via TV.
Before recessing Superior Court Judge Robert Damron welcomed the orderly audience to future hearings, but counseled them to refrain from discussing the case inside the courthouse.
"This is an emotional case, I know … but people just get in trouble" by arguing, Damron said.
Bains was a favored nephew of farming and real estate mogul Didar Bains, the acknowledged patriarch of Sutter County's tight-knit Sikh community.
Didar Bains himself appeared at the hearing, calling his nephew's death "sad, very sad."
Also a farmer, Prabjot Bains was a high school sports star and was highly respected throughout the extended Sikh family, his brother, Harkirat Bains, said.
"He was Didar's son's very best friend," Harkirat Bains said.
The incident was especially upsetting to family members, Harkirat Bains aid, because Singh had been a traveling musician-priest trusted in homes to perform religious celebrations and read the holy book.
But Singh had allegedly nreeched that trust by forming an inappropriate affection for Prabjot Bains's married sister-in-law.
A love note Singh allegedly left on the woman's windshield Feb. 11 prompted her to complain, which ultimately led to the fatal confrontation, Harkirat Bains recounted.
Singh remains in custody on $1 million bail, but the normal 10 percent security bond for is only $100,000 and Bains family members expressed fears that Singh could easily raise the amount and flee the country.
"He'll skip. He's a citizen of India and he'll be gone," Sarb Thiara said.
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