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Defendant Testifies in First-Degree Murder Case

A man from Toronto accused of murdering his ex-wife and daughter took the stand in his defense, asserting he did not premeditate the attacks. Instead, he described a moment when his anger “exploded.”

Godfrey Sig-Od testified about the events leading up to the tragic incident on August 26, 2022. He claimed that he was attempting to secure his passport with the assistance of his ex-wife, Elvie, and their daughter, Angelica. Sig-Od stated he felt a sense of urgency to return to the Philippines, acknowledging the dissolution of his marriage.

Upon their arrival, Sig-Od found himself in a heated exchange with Elvie regarding a disputed $3,000 he allegedly owed her for sponsoring his immigration to Canada. He expressed frustration, stating, “I was telling her, ‘Just give it to me. Somebody I know will help me.’” This person, according to Sig-Od, required no payment, just a simple lunch offering.

Due to a lack of sleep the previous night, Sig-Od could not recall the specific time of their meeting or the details of their drive. He did remember expressing his belief to Elvie that her motivations were purely financial: “It turns out you’re just after the money. Everything is money, money.” Sig-Od also questioned whether Angelica had sent any support to his mother in the Philippines, a woman who played a significant role in raising Angelica during her early years.

The court heard that Sig-Od’s mother had provided for Angelica until she was about nine years old. Since moving to Hong Kong, Elvie had allegedly ceased support for their daughter. Angelica’s response to her father’s inquiry about sending money to his mother only served to heighten Sig-Od’s anger, as she claimed her family connection primarily resided with her mother’s side. This rejection fueled his feelings towards both Elvie and Angelica, whom he felt displayed a lack of concern for his mother.

In a critical moment during his testimony, Sig-Od described reaching into his bag, where he unexpectedly discovered a knife. He claimed to be in a heightened state of rage and could not recall how or when the car veered onto Bathurst Street’s curb. “All I know was my anger exploded, and I do not know what happened,” he stated, before demonstrating a stabbing motion with his hand.

The heartbreaking aftermath, he recounted, involved him finding both Elvie and Angelica bleeding, leading him to exclaim, “Why did you do this to me?” Sig-Od insisted there was no premeditated plan to kill either of them and expressed confusion over his own actions during the altercation. “I don’t remember how many times I stabbed them. I was very mad. I said, ‘Why did you do this to me?’”

Witness Accounts and Serious Allegations

The jury was informed previously about the severity of the attacks: Elvie sustained 14 stab wounds, while Angelica suffered 19. When questioned about witness testimonies indicating he approached the witness with a knife, Sig-Od stated, “No, I can’t remember.” He did clarify that he had the knife in hand but insisted he only discarded it after realizing the consequences of his actions.

Defense attorney Daniel Brodsky presented additional evidence, including testimonies describing Sig-Od’s emotional state post-incident, highlighting that he was seen on his knees, crying, grappling with the gravity of the situation. Sig-Od’s account detailed his shock and confusion over thinking approximately $3,000 was worth the loss of his family.

Through his testimony, Sig-Od reiterated his troubled history with the couple’s relationship, revealing that he moved to Canada in 2019, sponsored by Elvie. He noted that their estrangement began after Elvie moved abroad for work, resulting in a series of monetary disputes and heightened tensions between the couple. This included a significant disagreement on a day when he learned of his mother’s financial struggles back home.

Sig-Od recounted a particular argument: Elvie’s refusal to send any money to his mother, asserting it was unnecessary. Their exchanges became increasingly charged, culminating in a heated confrontation stemming from a note left by Angelica, accusing him of consuming everything in the household. The ensuing argument exacerbated the family’s existing tensions, leading him to assert threats as a result of frustration over their situation.

He concluded his testimony by denying prior accusations from Elvie regarding threats to kill her or inflict harm, firmly stating, “No, I did no such thing.” Sig-Od, now 49, has pleaded not guilty to two counts of first-degree murder and is expected to undergo cross-examination next week.

Source
globalnews.ca