Teen testifies to witnessing fatal stabbing of 16-year-old at Halifax Shopping Centre
CBC
A boy who was with Ahmad Al Marrach on the day he was fatally stabbed testified Wednesday at the trial of one of four teens accused of killing the 16-year-old.
The youth accused is charged with second-degree murder in Al Marrach's death and his identity is protected by a publication ban.
The witness is 15 and his identity is also protected by a publication ban. He had a family member with him in the witness box for moral support and testified in Arabic, with the help of a translator.
He testified in Nova Scotia youth court how Al Marrach asked him and others to accompany him to the Halifax Shopping Centre on the afternoon of April 22, 2024.
Al Marrach had agreed to fight another boy at the mall and he wanted backup to ensure it was a fair fight.
The witness said he and his group arrived at the bus terminal across the street from the mall, then adjourned to a nearby Tim Hortons to wait.
He said he, Al Marrach and another boy went to the mall parkade, where they saw the other group of four youths approaching.
The witness said he ran back to the Tim Hortons for reinforcements.
He said when he returned to the mall parkade, he saw Al Marrach fighting with another boy.
Al Marrach's supporters tried to approach the fight, but the witness said one of the members of the other group pulled a knife. That youth has already pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
The witness said his group had not been expecting weapons, so none of them was armed.
He testified that they searched the parkade for anything they could use to defend themselves but they couldn't find anything, so they stayed back.
Security video from the parkade that was played in court Tuesday showed a group of teens milling around well back from where the skirmish was taking place.
The witness said Al Marrach had one of his assailants in a headlock when a girl in the other group pushed them to the ground, then proceeded to kick Al Marrach in the head. The 14-year-old girl has also pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
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