A second-degree murder trial in Halifax youth court heard from a young witness who stayed with Ahmad Al Marrach,16, for the altercation and ultimately fatal stabbing.
The testimony brought an end to the first week of the trial.
The 17-year-old accused pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder following the death of Ahmad Maher Al Marrach, who was pronounced dead in hospital after he was found badly injured near the Halifax Shopping Centre on April 22, 2024.
Once Al Marrach and two friends, including Friday’s Crown witness, saw four people arriving at the mall parkade for the fight, Al Marrach's friend went to get more help.
Security footage and cellphone video were played for the witness, showing Al Marrach and the accused fight.
Shortly after, the witness testified two other youths also started punching Al Marrach and kicking him when he and the accused went to the ground.
The witness testified he believed the fight had ended when Al Marrach managed to get to his feet.
Then, Al Marrach was pushed and engaged with one of the youths who was punching and kicking him, said the witness.
After a brief skirmish, those two got up and separated.
Once again, the witness said he thought the fight was over.
But he testified a girl, one of the four youths who arrived at the mall, then tried to steal Al Marrach's backpack.
Al Marrach ran at her, pushed her and took it back, the witness said. That's when one of the teens stabbed him.
During cross-examination, the witness agreed with defence lawyer Anna Mancini that the accused told Al Marrach to "walk away now" prior to the backpack incident.
Asked whether he recalled seeing the accused pull the second youth who fought Al Marrach off him, the witness said he didn't remember.
Another teen, the alleged killer, is set to stand trial next month. Two other youths have already pleaded guilty to manslaughter in Al Marrach’s death. They will be sentenced in March.
