HAMILTON, Ohio – A man accused of the capital murder of four relatives at their West Chester apartment is facing his second trial starting Monday. Gurpreet Singh, aged 41, faced a hung jury and mistrial in October 2022 for the alleged killings that took place just over five years ago. Singh is accused of gunning down his wife, her parents, and her aunt in the evening of April 28, 2019, at the Lakefront at West Chester apartment complex.
Rather than facing a jury, Singh has requested a bench trial this time. Because this is a potential death penalty case, a three-judge panel will be responsible for determining his fate after considering evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense. Singh has consistently maintained his innocence and entered a plea of not guilty to four counts of aggravated murder.
On the night of the murders, Singh contacted 911 and reported finding his relatives on the ground, bleeding from head injuries. He was not taken into custody by West Chester police that night but was eventually arrested in Connecticut less than three months later, in July 2019, and indicted the following month.
During his initial trial, Singh’s defense team pointed fingers at another individual, alleging their involvement with the “India Land Mafia.” Despite this claim, relatives of the victims firmly believe in Singh’s guilt and have been advocating for justice to be served. Taxpayers are covering Singh’s legal expenses due to his indigent status and the severity of the case.
The potential costs associated with the death penalty phase of the trial may be inconsequential as Governor Mike DeWine suspended capital punishment in Ohio in 2020. Last executions in Ohio took place in 2018 involving a local man convicted of a brutal murder in Cincinnati. This ongoing trial signifies a challenge to the current legal landscape regarding the death penalty in the state, amid increasing scrutiny and evolving attitudes towards capital punishment.