Strong forensic and digital case outlined at Nanaimo trial
The Crown told B.C. Supreme Court in Nanaimo that a combination of DNA evidence, fingerprints and cellphone data creates an “overwhelming” case against a man charged in the 2021 shooting death of Yasin Khan in the parking lot of the Wendy’s at Rock City Centre.
The accused, 42-year-old Ronald Joseph Campbell, has been on trial since July 20 on a charge of first-degree murder. The killing took place on May 20, 2021 when Khan was shot as he returned to his BMW sport-utility vehicle after leaving a nearby housing complex, Crown counsel told the court.
Forensic highlights presented by Crown
In closing submissions on Thursday, Crown lawyers Nick Barber and Gregory Furmaniuk reviewed physical and digital material they say ties Campbell to the vehicle used in the attack and to the firearm seized by police.
- Fingerprints: Three fingerprints matching Campbell were located on the interior driver’s-side door handle of the Cadillac Escalade.
- Steering wheel DNA: DNA on the steering wheel was reported to match only Campbell.
- Cellphone forensics: A cellphone recovered in the Escalade contained Campbell’s DNA on the back and Campbell’s DNA plus trace elements from another person on the front.
- Firearm: The Glock seized by police had Campbell’s DNA on it; the barrel end contained DNA from three unknown individuals, which the Crown described as consistent with not touching that part of the gun when firing.
- Personal items: A hoodie and cigarette butts found in the Escalade also yielded Campbell’s DNA.
Crown counsel told Justice Douglas Thompson the physical evidence is reinforced by material recovered from the phone and financial documents found in Campbell’s name.
"There were selfie photos of Campbell... Interac, credit card and utility bills in Campbell’s name, as well as text messages pointing to Campbell as the perpetrator,"
Digital trail and motive, Crown says
Prosecutors argued the cellphone contained not only identifying information but communications and images that place Campbell at the scene and depict his engagement with a criminal network. The Crown said texts and other records show what it described as an effort by Campbell to "enter into a higher echelon of criminality by marketing himself to the new crew as a dependable colleague."
During their version of events, the Crown argued Campbell pulled the Escalade alongside Khan’s vehicle and fired five shots, three of which struck Khan, causing lethal internal injuries.
Defence and the nature of the Crown case
The Crown acknowledged the case is largely circumstantial, an important legal distinction, but told the court that the cumulative force of the DNA, fingerprints, phone forensics and transactional records bridge that gap.
The trial has been heard before Justice Thompson in Nanaimo. Defence arguments and any legal challenges to the evidence were part of earlier proceedings; closing submissions presented this week lay out the Crown’s position as the trial moves toward its conclusion.
What comes next
After closing submissions from the Crown, the defence will present its closing argument and the judge will consider legal directions before the case is reserved for decision. The outcome will have consequences for the family of the victim and for the community that witnessed a high-profile violent incident in a busy commercial area of Nanaimo.
| Item | Evidence noted by Crown |
|---|---|
| Fingerprints | Three fingerprints of the accused on Escalade door handle |
| DNA | Steering wheel, cellphone back, hoodie, cigarette butts all matched accused |
| Firearm | Glock with accused's DNA on it; barrel end had unknown DNA |
| Phone records | Selfies, texts and financial records in accused’s name |
The trial revisits a violent episode that left residents concerned about public safety in a central Nanaimo shopping area. The judge’s decision will follow after defence closing submissions and legal direction, closing a chapter in a case that has been before the court since July.
