Friend of fatally stabbed Halifax teen changes his testimony in youth court

CITYnews halifax / By The Canadian Press

HALIFAX — The trial for a Halifax-area youth accused of participating in the fatal stabbing last year of a 16-year-old student heard today from one of the victim’s close friends.

The 17-year-old accused pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder in the killing of Ahmad Maher Al Marrach, who was stabbed outside the Halifax Shopping Centre on April 22.

The 15-year-old witness told youth court that Al Marrach asked him via text message to go to the mall because he had agreed to fight with another boy there.

The Crown and defence agree that the accused did not stab Al Marrach, but the Crown has said the evidence will show the accused planned a group assault, which he knew could lead to the death of Al Marrach.

During his testimony today, Al Marrach’s friend said that as he entered the mall’s parkade, the fight had already started and he saw the accused holding a knife.

The witness testified that he heard the accused say, “Do you want to get killed?” as a group of Al Marrach’s friends moved closer to the fight.

But under cross-examination, the witness said it was difficult to hear what was being said during the fracas.

And when defence lawyer Anna Mancini suggested to the witness that he did not hear the accused make any threats, the witness agreed.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2025.

The Canadian Press