Gang rivalry divulged at murder trial

Details about the life of an 18-year-old murder victim were revealed in an Edmonton courtroom on Monday.

The history of Adnan Pervez included charges of weapons possession and violent episodes with other gang members in the Edmonton area.

Keith Schell, 31, is standing trial for first-degree murder. The Crown says he may have been hired to murder Pervez or Pervez's brother, Usman.

Adnan Pervez's father, his sister, and his girlfriend testified before the jury, giving details about the friction between people of Muslim and Sikh faiths.

Under cross-examination, the witnesses revealed Pervez's altercations with police and other gangs.

Pervez's father, Shauket Pervez, testified that back in July of 1999, the police seized an unregistered Beretta and several rounds of ammunition from his son's room. There was also testimony that Adnan Pervez got into a fight with a gang member at NAIT and that weapons were used.

Adnan Pervez's girlfriend, Vagheja Syed, testified that he was an enemy to several people who belonged to what she called a "rival group."

Shaukat Pervez told the court his other son, Usman Pervez, had been shot in the face and was subjected to death threats last December.

Police believe Adnan Pervez was shot by someone who was trying to shoot Usman Pervez.