Closing arguments heard by jury as manslaughter trial nears its end

Hoffman was charged in the stabbing death of Malik McDonnell-Mills in 2023. CTV London’s Nick Paparella has more.

Both sides made their closing arguments at the manslaughter trial of a 20 year old London man charged in connection with the death of a teenager.

In his closing, Crown Attorney Roger Dietrich told the jury that even though the accused Treyton Hoffman didn’t actually stab Malik McDonnell-Mills, he should be found guilty of being a party to the offence because of his participation that summer night saying, “I conclude that Mr. Hoffman had pepper spray and used it that day on Malik.”

Dietrich continued, “We know that pepper spray was found on the face of the deceased.”

He added that the accused was not being truthful during a London Police interview after his arrest saying, “Mr. Hoffman lied to police about the use of the mace he had in his bag.”

The Crown told the jury to examine the forensic video exhibits saying, “He (Hoffman) is chasing Malik, you can hear somebody yelling...there’s a lot of evidence to convict Mr. Hoffman on manslaughter.”

The jury has heard that Hoffman and others had been hanging out in August of 2023 and met up with the 16 year old McDonnell-Mills in an area around King Edward Avenue. The night had been fueled by alcohol and marijuana.

The victim would end up dying from a stab wound to the femoral artery.

Two others charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act in connection with the stabbing death still need to have their cases heard before the courts.

Later in the day, defence lawyer Lakin Afolabi gave his closing telling the jury Hoffman didn’t do anything intentional to cause the death of McDonnell-Mills.

Afolabi told the jury Hoffman was blinded by mace himself and had no part in the stabbing saying, “There was some kind of chaos happening and we simply don’t know.”

He added, “This is an individual who’s been smoking marijuana, drinking alcohol and pepper sprayed.”

When referring to the others facing charges in connection with the death Afolabi said, “He’s (Hoffman) on trial for his own actions and not the actions of the other two.”

He told the jury not to rush to judgement saying, “This case is highly circumstantial and you should not return with a verdict of guilty.”

Justice Patricia Moore is expected to wrap up her charge to the jury on Tuesday before the members settle in for deliberations.