Man accused of killing estranged wife, friend appears in court

A Calgary man who was supposed to celebrate his second wedding anniversary on Monday faced his wife's accused killer in a courtroom instead.

Fahmida Velji-Visram, 29, was stabbed to death alongside her friend Sanjula Devi, 36, early last month.

• Calgary stabbing deaths of 2 women lead to 2nd-degree murder charges

"Todayis our second year anniversary, instead of seeing my wife, Ihave to see the person who murdered her," saidRahimVisram.

"I didn't even get two years with my wife and she's taken away from me."

The two women were trying to retrieve Devi's personal items from the home she used to share with her estranged husband, HariPal.

Pal, 52, now faces two counts of second-degree murder and one count of aggravated assault.

"All I hope is that justice is served and I hope that Calgary is a better place for knowing how wonderful she was," saidVisram, of his late wife.

"I have no emotions, I want to be angry but that won't bring her back. Ijust want justice to be served, Iwant it to be quick and swift so the family doesn't have to suffer longer than it has to."

It was the first court appearance Pal has made in person since he was arrested on May 4 after police were called to a home in the 6400 block of Penbrook Drive S.E.

Pal, who had fled the scene, was apprehended and taken to hospital with self-inflicted injuries.

A third woman, the daughter of the landlord who lives in the upper level of the house, was also taken to hospital in non-life-threatening condition and released.

During the brief court appearance, the charges were read and Pal spoke through a Hindi interpreter.

He showed no emotion and told the judge he couldn't afford a lawyer.

She advised him to contact one through Legal Aid Alberta before his next appearance onJune 16.