Dallas Ly found guilty of 2nd-degree murder in mother's death, dismemberment

WARNING: This story contains graphic and disturbing details of violence.

A jury has found Dallas Ly guilty of second-degree murder in the 2022 death of his mother, Tien Ly, after one day of deliberations.

The 23-year-old had admitted to stabbing his mother repeatedly in their Leslieville condo on March 27, 2022, before leaving her remains in garbage bags on Eastern Avenue.

Tien Ly, 46, was stabbed 27 times before she was decapitated, according to autopsy reports. She suffered a deep stab wound on the left side of her neck, along with other wounds to her face, neck and arms, the reports found.

Dallas Ly testified during the trial, telling the jury his mother would beat him and call him stupid and lazy.

He testified that his mother threatened to kill him and his aunt on the night of the stabbing, after he told her he planned to move out and live with his aunt.

Ly also testified that he zoned out in his room for hours afterward and at one point tried to call his mother because he didn't think the stabbing was real.

Left to right: Defence lawyer Jessyca Greenwood, defence co-counsel Marco Sciarra, Justice Alfred O’Marra, accused Dallas Ly, crown attorney Jaye Spare. Ly on May 8 is testifying how his mother struck him in the jaw. (Pam Davies/CBC)

Dallas Ly looked shaken when he heard the final verdict.

Ly had testified it wasn't his intention to kill his mother, but he lost it when she threatened him.

The Crown, however, argued Ly's actions toward his mother were intentional and deliberate and severed several main arteries.

Defence lawyers Jessyca Greenwood and Marco Sciarra said they were disappointed with the verdict.

"We stand behind Dallas's account. He got to have his side of the story told and heard. We're thankful for the jury's consideration but this case really does underline the fact that there is work to be done in the intersection between mental health and the criminal justice system," Greenwood said.

"It will be for a future court to examine whether the admission of the expert evidence in this case was appropriate. And we're thankful to the people who have continued to support Dallas throughout this trial," she said.

Sciarra said Dallas never tried to justify his actions in his testimony.

"His explanations and his mental state were certainly something that played a major part in what occurred that night," Sciarra said.

Defence lawyers called psychiatrist Dr. Mitesh Patel who interviewed Ly and told the jury he was experiencing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) during the stabbing.

The prosecution called psychiatrist Dr. Alina Yosef, who never directly spoke with Ly but observed him in the courtroom.

Yosef testified Ly only experienced PTSD symptoms after the trauma of the brutal stabbing.

Following the murder conviction, five jurors suggested Ly serve the minimum 10 years being eligible for parole. Three others suggested 15 years.

The judge will make the final decision.