CALGARY -- The sentencing of convicted murderer Mohamed Karim has been delayed as his lawyer seeks answers as to why jailhouse video was edited.

Defence counsel Adriano Iovinelli said crucial footage of Karim’s treatment at the Calgary Remand Centre cuts off moments before the killer was allegedly handcuffed.

“The issue (is) the availability of a video from the Calgary Remand Centre which ... depicts Mr. Karim being assaulted,” Iovinelli told Justice Beth Hughes.

Hughes had earlier ordered the jail to release the surveillance to Karim’s lawyers to determine if he was the victim of poor treatment while in custody.

Iovinelli wants to argue the treatment of his client should reduce the period of parole ineligibility Hughes must set for Karim on a charge of second-degree murder.

Karim was convicted in September of the Jan. 15, 2006 murder of Calgary financier Jack Beauchamp, whom he shot six times in the downtown offices of Morbank Financial Inc,, the company the victim headed.

Karim had gone there to intimidate Beauchamp, who was involved in a business dispute with Robert Deer. Deer sent the armed killer to meet with the deceased and was convicted of manslaughter.

Iovinelli said footage in which Karim claims he was assaulted while handcuffed ends before the crucial moment.

“At the point Mr. Karim alleges an assault took place, ... the video goes blank,” he said.

Calgary police will further investigate to see if the footage still exists.

A new sentencing date will be set Feb. 15.