A suspect accused of a stabbing at a downtown drugstore in December that killed a 28-year-old newlywed woman is now charged with first-degree murder.
Rosemarie ‘Kim’ Junor was stabbed multiple times at a Shoppers Drug Mart in the underground PATH system near Bay and Wellington streets on Dec. 11.
Police previously said that they believe the fatal stabbing was random and unprovoked, and that they do not believe the victim and suspect knew one another.
Rohinie Bisesar, 40, was initially charged with second-degree murder in connection with the case.
Her lawyer Calvin Barry confirmed to CP24 shortly before 3 p.m. Wednesday that the charge has since been upgraded to first-degree murder.
It was not immediately clear why the charge was upgraded.
Barry said it was too early to tell if the upgraded charge would change his defence strategy.
“We have to gather all the information, we have to gather all the disclosure, and we can’t really approach the Crown attorney until we have the proverbial kitchen sink,” he said.
Pressed as to whether his client knew the victim, Barry remained tight-lipped.
“I can’t say either way at this juncture.”
In a statement provided to CP24 Wednesday afternoon, Junor’s brother said her family “feel a lot better” about the upgraded charge.
“Unfortunately we are still coping with our loss and with the help of (G)od and our faith we are taking this devastating news of the loss of our sister very hard,” Richard Junor said.
“We would like to thank everyone for all their support at this time.”
Bisesar, who has no prior criminal record, is currently in custody. She is scheduled to appear in court next on Feb. 29 at 2 p.m., police said.
