Halifax mall stabbing: Second youth pleads guilty to manslaughter in death of teen

CITYnews halifax / By The Canadian Press

HALIFAX — A second Halifax youth has pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old boy earlier this year.

The province’s Public Prosecution Service confirms the 17-year-old boy entered the plea Wednesday, but facts about what happened were not entered into the record because a different judge will preside over the sentencing.

The victim, Ahmad Maher Al Marrach, was found badly injured in a parking garage next to the Halifax Shopping Centre on April 22, and he died later in hospital.

Related:

• A fourth teenager charged in the murder of Ahmad Maher Al Marrach
• Third teen charged in murder of Ahmad Maher Al Marrach
• Two more people charged in murder of 16-year-old Ahmad Maher Al Marrach

Court also heard Wednesday that the Crown has chosen not to seek an adult sentence for the 17-year-old, whose sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 12.

Earlier this month, a 14-year-old girl also pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter, and she will be sentenced on Jan. 21.

Meanwhile, two other teenage boys — now 17 and 15 — are facing trials for second-degree murder in Ahmad’s death.

The accused cannot be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31, 2024.