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New trial begins for pair accused of killing Calgary businessman

A retrial for two men charged with a killing-for-hire that left a Calgary businessman dead in his downtown office was delayed Tuesday to give one of the accused time to pray.

CALGARY — A retrial for two men charged with a killing-for-hire that left a Calgary businessman dead in his downtown office was delayed Tuesday to give one of the accused time to pray.

Mohamed Karim, 30, and Robert Deer, 57, were both convicted in October 2007 of first-degree murder in the death of Morbank Financial president Jack Beauchamp.

Both men appealed their convictions and in December 2010 were granted a new trial.

On Tuesday, proceedings halted for a time after Karim’s prayer sheet was confiscated by court sheriffs. Karim’s lawyer asked Queen’s Bench Justice Beth Hughes for an adjournment so that his client would have time to pray and his request was granted.

When the trial resumed, Deer wiped away tears when prosecutors showed the court graphic video of the crime scene.

Prosecutors allege that Beauchamp was shot to death over a real estate deal with Deer’s company that fell through.