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Singh is accused of killing his wife, Shalinderjit Kaur, 39; his in-laws, Hakikat Singh Pannag, 59, and Parmjit Kaur, 62; and his aunt by marriage, Amarjit Kaur, 58, at their apartment. All died of gunshot wounds.
Singh’s defense team again requested $10,000 found in Singh’s wife’s purse when the apartment was searched after the quadruple homicide be given to Singh.
In November, the defense argued the cash should be returned to Singh as part of marital property. This week, the defense filed a supplemental motion arguing the money should be returned to the guardians of Singh’s two children who are now living with relatives of the victim in California.
Ajaib Singh, whose two sisters and brother-in-law were killed, said the children are doing well and attending public school in California.
Attorney John R. Bernans, part of the defense team, said if Singh or his wife cannot have the money, the guardians should be permitted to use it “for the care and well-being of the children.”
“The children are living in California and that money could go to good use for their support,” Bernans said. He said the prosecution could take pictures of the money and location so it could possibly be used for trial.
But Assistant Prosecutor Jon Marshall said, “The evidence was seized pursuant to a search warrant. It is evidence in a quadruple homicide …. we are here to prosecute this defendant for the murder of four people in his home. The items recovered in his home are evidence of the crime.”
Marshall said Singh has other assets, including a home in Indiana and a semi truck that he could liquidate to get money to care for his children.
“It is also the state’s understanding from contact with the victim’s family that they have no interest, nor have they made a request for the money for the care of the victim’s children,” Marshall said.
Howard denied the motion in November and denied it again on Thursday.
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