Amanda Todd case: Teen's name turned up on hard drive seized during Dutch police search, investigator testifies
The jury trial of a man accused of sextorting Port Coquitlam, B.C., teen Amanda Todd heard testimony from a digital investigator that the girl's name turned up during analysis of a hard drive seized from the home where Aydin Coban was arrested.
Coban has pleaded not guilty to extortion, child luring, harassment and possession of child pornography.
The Crown alleges Todd was targeted from age 12 to 15 by a sextortionist with 22 phony accounts, who tried to use explicit images of the teenager as leverage to get her to perform sex acts online. Todd died by suicide in 2012 at the age of 15.
Det. Frank Van der Molen told the court he was part of a team of digital investigators that analyzed devices seized from a bungalow in the southern part of the Netherlands, where Coban was arrested in January 2014.
Van der Molen testified he completed a final report, which outlined findings from eight hard drives, including a Hitachi-brand hard drive.
“That hard drive was broken,” he told the court. “We weren’t able to make a forensic copy of it. So we sent that to the Netherlands Forensics Institute.”
Van der Molen testified the institute was able to repair the hard drive and produce a copy. He told the court among the contents of the hard drive, there was a playlist that included a video file with “Amanda Todd” in its name. The court heard the words appeared more than once connected to file names listed on the drive.
Amanda Todd’s mother Carol spoke outside court about seeing her daughter’s name in the court exhibit which was displayed on a screen for the public gallery.
“Now I feel that we’re rounding the bend where we’re going to connect more dots,” she said. “And that’s a good thing.”
In cross examination, Van der Molen testified there were no actual videos of Todd found on any of the devices he analyzed.
The trial also heard testimony about Coban’s arrest from another Dutch police investigator. Chief Inspector Joerie van Schijndel told the court during cross-examination that, on the night undercover officers entered the bungalow, Coban came out of the washroom.
The Netherlands bungalow where Aydin Coban was arrested and searched by police.
“He had a pipe, iron pipe or something like that in his hand,” van Schijndel said. “My guess is that he saw us in the mirror, went in the washroom, grabbed the pipe, went out, and then the arrest took place.”
The jury also heard testimony about a covert police operation that took place at the bungalow in the month prior to the arrest.
Desktop computer and laptop found while searching the Netherlands bungalow where Aydin Coban was arrested.
Insp. van Schijndel testified data from some electronic devices was copied or “imaged” at that time, and two hard drives too large to image at the location were temporarily removed and brought to a forensic lab before being replaced. He also testified about “key logger” or monitoring software installed on a laptop and desktop at the bungalow.
The defence has not yet presented its case. Coban’s lawyer has said the case is about whether Crown can prove who was behind messages sent to Todd.
Todd’s mother said while a lot of the testimony at the trial has been technical, it’s important for people to understand.
“I’m thinking that Amanda’s story, Amanda’s case is precedent-setting,” she said. “It’s going to change the landscape that we see.”
This is the third week of the seven-week trial. Testimony is set to continue on Wednesday.
Photo evidence of Aydin Coban as presented at his trial for extortion and harassment of B.C. teenager Amanda Todd.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.