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Skinhead Killer Pleads for Life

A P Kamath in Surrey, British Columbia

In one of the most widely followed court cases in Canada, a young man pleaded in a court here that he has become a changed man while waiting trial for the murder of the Sikh worker at the local gurdwara.

He has been reading a lot of books on racism and spirituality, said Radoslaw Synderek. One of the five skinheads who confessed to the murder of Nirmal Singh Gill, Synderek said he was a "hooligan, a thug and a drunk" who became a worse person when he embraced racism.

In begging for the forgiveness of Gill family, of Indian Canadian community and of his own family, Synderek said he could give his own life to bring Gill, who was 65 at the time of his death, back to life.

Synderek's friend, Daniel Miloszewski too apologized to the Indian Canadian community and Gill's family. He asked through his lawyer for a lesser sentence.

While the prosecutors are demanding that the five skinheads who were members of White Power group should each get a life sentence, the attorney for Daniel Miloszewski said his client could serve about four years in a prison and then help the Sikh community in a significant way.

The other three skinheads are expected to make statements in the coming days.

"I'm really ashamed of my behavior," said Daniel Miloszewski. "In a few seconds, I have changed and ruined your lives forever. That haunts me."

On Wednesday, his parents, who came to Canada as refugees about two decades ago appeared in the court, moaning how their lives were shattered by the action of their son. Commentators were reminded that Gill too had come to Canada as a refugee.

The five pleaded guilty early this year to manslaughter in the death of Gill, 65, who was beaten to death January 4, 1998.

The other three are Nathan LeBlanc, Robert Kluch, and Lee Nikkel.

"There's no way I can bring Mr Gill back," Miloszewski said, facing the judge, William Stuart.

He said he hoped that "some day I can be forgiven for what I've done".

Miloszewski, speaking in a slight Polish accent and dressed in a white dress shirt and sporting hair, spoke. as the other four accused listened in rapt attention.

The crown prosecutors have said the stories of repentance are not to be believed. The fact that the men have grown hair is also a part of their act, they added.

"Every day I spend in prison I'm doing what I can to be a better man," he said. Gill's relatives and family members are not attending these sessions.

"I'm sorry for my violent actions and my racist attitude," he continued.

"I realize that racism is evil and must be destroyed."

Before Miloszewski made his statement, his lawyer, John Conroy, said the young men were not looking for an Indian to harm. They had inadvertently stumbled into Gill.

His client is "a good person who has done a very bad thing," said Conroy. "He has aspects of his character that are worth looking at. We shouldn't reject him and lock him up and throw away the key." But he did not elaborate.

Miloszewski's mother had told the court that as a child, he was beaten up by fellow students, most of them Indian Canadian. He turned to racist groups after his completed his high school, she said.

The men didn't know Gill was Indo-Canadian, Conroy said.

"Mr. Miloszewski indicated he did not get a good glance at the person," he continued.

The lawyers for the five have said in a statement they got drunk and began to slash car tires when they stumbled on Gill. While they beat him up, they did not believe he had died, the lawyers said.

The attack lasted about 90 seconds, a statement submitted by the lawyers said.

But none of the accused knew the extent of Gill's injuries, said Conroy.

"None of the offenders intended to kill Mr. Gill," Conroy continued. "None of them believed Mr Gill was dead when they left."

But the prosecution has presented to the court videotapes in which three men are boasting of their vicious attack.

Miloszewski, Synderek and Kluch boasted about the killing to undercover police officers who posed as bikers seeking a contract hit.

Kluch bragged about jumping on the elderly caretaker's head and hitting him many times as he pleaded for his life and held to his bracelet.

EARLY FEATURE:
'I've Lost My Son,' Says Mother of Gill's Killer

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