The disturbing evidence presented at trial by a Dutch man accused of harassing and extorting BC teenager Amanda Todd before he died by suicide prompted the judge to warn the jury before he showed up on Friday.
Judge Martha Devlin advised the 12-member jury to prepare, before the courtroom fell silent as a series of graphic videos and images of the 15-year-old were played.
Read more: Dutch cybercrime expert testifies about devices allegedly used to “extort” Amanda Todd
The video screen in the courtroom public room was turned off due to the pornographic nature of the content.
Todd’s mother, Carol, was present when the evidence was presented.
2:01 Dutch police inspector testifies at trial of 15-year-old Amanda Todd accused of extortion. The Dutch police inspector testifies at the trial of the man accused of extortion to 15-year-old Amanda Todd.
“Yes, it’s hard, but it’s necessary,” he said outside the New Westminster Supreme Court.
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“I will admit that it is not 100% easy, yes, to see and hear all these things. But part of me is that it has to be said and shared.”
The court also heard more testimony from Vancouver police. Const. Robin Shook, a digital forensic specialist.
Read more: Amanda Todd’s “sextortion” trial overhears digital forensic specialist
Crown asked Shook about the graphic content and how it was linked to a number of mysterious web browsers, platforms, websites, and user accounts, including a Facebook user account named Austin Collins.
2:19 Amanda Todd’s trial listens to digital forensic specialist Amanda Todd’s trial listens to digital forensic specialist
The court heard earlier that this Facebook account, which claimed to be operated on by a Todd High School student, was used to share explicit images of the teen.
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Todd committed suicide in 2012 after what Crown has called a persistent online extortion campaign. “
Read more: “I Heard a Scream”: Amanda Todd’s Mother Explains BC’s Trial of “Extortion” Incident
Aydin Coban, a citizen of the Netherlands, has pleaded not guilty to five counts, including possession of child pornography, communication with a young person for a sexual offense, and criminal harassment.
2:12 Parents Explain Horror of Amanda Todd’s Extortion Parents Explain Horror of Amanda Todd’s Extortion
Crown alleges that Coban used a network of 22 fake social media accounts to harass and harass her between 2009 and 2012.
Prosecutors allege that he obtained a video of her showing her breasts and getting her hands on her underwear, and then used this material to try to blackmail her into making webcam pornographic programs. In several cases, Crown alleges, he sent links to explicit material to friends, family, and his school community.
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Read more: BC teenager charged with cyberbullying Amanda Todd pleads not guilty
The case is based on the issue of identity, and Coban’s attorney, Joseph Saulnier, has said there is no link between the extortionist and his client.
Earlier this week he said he knows the case is emotionally charged, but that there must be evidence beyond any reasonable doubt about who sent the messages to Amanda.
The 35-day trial is set to resume on Monday.
– with files by Rumina Daya
3:37 Amanda Todd’s mother testifies in case of a Dutch man accused of harassing a 15-year-old girl before taking her life Amanda Todd’s mother testifies in the case of a Dutch man accused of ‘harassing a 15-year-old girl before taking her life
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