The two Richmond brothers accused of viciously assaulting a gay couple in downtown Vancouver in June 2010 appeared for a trial starting Tuesday in Vancouver provincial court. Parminder Singh Peter Bassi, 30, and Ravinder Robbie Bassi, 27, have pleaded not guilty.
David Holtzman and Peter Regier suffered concussions, cuts and bruises in an assault outside their apartment near Rogers Arena. On the night of the alleged attack, an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event took place at the arena. Holtzman says it was a homophobic hate crime and linked to the UFC event.
The court heard that the victims returned to their Keefer street apartment and found Ravinder Bassi allegedly urinating on the side of their building.
Ravinder Bassi was told to stop, and he allegedly said "shut up" and referred to Regier and Holtzman as "faggots and other homophobic slurs," the court heard.
Regier began to take photos with his phone of Ravinder Bassi, who continued to pee on the building, the court heard.
Shortly after, Ravinder Bassi charged at Regier and allegedly punched him "numerous times in the head," Crown alleged.
Parminder Bassi then allegedly punched Holtzman numerous times in the head.
The victims offered "virtually no resistance," Crown alleged.
