2nd-degree murder charge dropped for teen in stabbing death of Halifax boy – Halifax [Video]

The Crown is no longer pursuing a second-degree murder charge against a teen who is alleged to have organized the fight last year that ended in the stabbing death of Halifax high school student Ahmad Al Marrach.

Instead, prosecutor Sharon Goodwin told provincial youth court Wednesday the Crown is seeking a conviction on the lesser charge of manslaughter for the 17-year-old boy, whose identity is protected by a publication ban. Manslaughter is a homicide but unlike second-degree murder there is a lack of intent.

The Crown and defence agree that the teenager on trial did not stab the 16-year-old Al Marrach, but at the start of the trial prosecutors said evidence would show he planned a group assault that he knew could lead to Al Marrach’s death. Wednesday, Goodwin said a charge of second-degree murder could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

In her closing arguments, Goodwin told Judge …