Murder suspect wrote ‘I’m sorry’ in blood on cell wall to Banff, Alta., stabbing victim, court hears [Video]

Defence counsel for accused murderer John-Christopher Arrizza argues he was in an “altered state of mind” due to days of drug and alcohol use, sleep deprivation and not eating, when he fatally stabbed a man at a Banff nightclub in 2022.

The fact that Arrizza, 24, caused the death of 26-year-old Banff resident Ethan Enns-Goneau is not up for dispute, said defence lawyer Katherin Beyak, but the jury of his trial must decide whether the Thornton, Ont. man knew his actions on Aug. 5, 2022, would cause the victim’s death.

Once the accused had “a handle on his sobriety,” while being detained at the Banff RCMP detachment, Arrizza wrote on the wall of his cell with blood from a self-harm wound on his arm, “Ethan, I’m sorry,” Beyak noted to jurors, who were provided photo evidence of the message.

“I am not suggesting that Mr. Arrizza should be excused for …