Latest news with #youthcrime
CBC
2 days ago
- CBC
Teen convicted of manslaughter in death of Ahmad Al Marrach in Halifax parking garage
A teenager accused of instigating a deadly ambush of a 16-year-old boy has been found guilty of manslaughter. The verdict was handed down Tuesday morning in Nova Scotia Youth Court. The 17-year-old, whose identity is protected by a publication ban, challenged the victim, Ahmad Al Marrach, to a fight in a series of aggressive text messages. The pair exchanged messages in the hours leading up to their confrontation in a parking garage at the Halifax Shopping Centre on April 22, 2024. While the text messages discussed a fair, one-on-one fight, the teen was actually plotting with some of his friends for them to jump into the fight seconds after it began. It was one of those friends who fatally stabbed Al Marrach. The 17-year-old has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. His sentencing begins on Friday. The teen convicted on Tuesday was the only one to test the charges at trial. He had initially been charged with second-degree murder. But the Crown indicated in April that they were no longer pursuing that more serious charge, and the teen was instead facing a manslaughter charge. His other two accomplices, a boy and girl who are both 15, each pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The court was told on Tuesday that the girl has already breached the conditions of her sentence and has been re-arrested and is back in custody. She had been serving an intensive rehabilitative sentence which included three months in jail, followed by close supervision in the community. The other teen who entered a guilty plea is to be sentenced next month. The Crown is still weighing whether to seek an adult sentence for the latest conviction. They say their decision will depend in part on psychological and psychiatric reports that are being prepared as part of the sentencing process. Sentencing is set for the fall. The teen's lawyer had argued that her client should be found not guilty because he didn't know his friend was going to use a knife. But the Crown had argued that the fatal stabbing was a direct result of the fight started by the teen on trial. "If a group decides to do something together and one of that group does something else that causes harm ... If that something else, the general nature of it is reasonably foreseeable, then the whole group can be held responsible," Crown Prosecutor Sarah Kirby said outside court. In a victim impact statement read in court in January, Al Marrach's mother said she dies a thousand times a day without her son. With the help of a translator, Basima Al Jaji described a life devoid of joy and affection as part of the sentencing for the two 15-year-olds who pleaded guilty to manslaughter. The victim's sister, her voice barely above a whisper, spoke about how she didn't believe the news at first that her brother had died. She said when she woke up on the first day after his death, she ran into every room in their home, looking for him. Al Marrach's family came to Canada in 2016 as refugees from Syria. After his death, his family remembered Al Marrach as someone who looked after his brothers and sisters. Crown Prosecutor Terry Nickerson said the outcome of the four cases was a good one. "I think it sends a clear message that the system does work and time and effort and cooperation with the police and with the authorities and sometimes a little patience is rewarded."
The Independent
6 days ago
- The Independent
Boy who stabbed pupil to death tells jury why he took ‘scary' knife to school
A 15-year-old boy who stabbed a fellow pupil to death has told a jury he took a 'scary-looking knife' to school that day 'in case anyone tried to pull a knife out on me or try to hurt me'. The teenager told a court on Friday he did not want to go to school on the morning he killed Harvey Willgoose, also 15, because 'I thought I was going to get hurt that day'. The defendant was giving evidence for a third day at Sheffield Crown Court, where he is on trial for murdering Harvey during the lunch break at All Saints Catholic High School in the city on February 3. He told the court he 'ordered' the knife because 'it was a scary-looking knife and, if I pulled it out, somebody wouldn't try to pull out theirs'. Gul Nawaz Hussain KC, defending, asked the boy: 'We know you took a knife to school with you that morning, why?' The defendant replied: 'In case anyone tried to pull a knife out on me or try to hurt me.' Mr Hussain said: 'Did you want to start any trouble that day?' The boy said: 'No.' And Mr Hussain asked him: 'Did you want to hurt anyone that day?' The boy replied: 'No.' The barrister read a Snapchat message Harvey sent to the defendant before school that day, which said: 'Is it beef I what', which the boy said he read as meaning: 'Is it beef or what?' Mr Hussain said: 'Did you want beef with Harvey?' The boy said: 'No.' The defendant explained to the jury of eight women and four men how he met Harvey after arriving at school on February 3 and Harvey said to him: 'Is it beef between me and you?' He said he asked Harvey why he thought he had 'beef' with him but Harvey just asked him about his injured hand. The boy said they then started joking about boxing and started sparring in the corridor. The defendant said Harvey was laughing and he told the jury: 'I was thinking it was alright between me and him.' The jury has been shown CCTV footage of Harvey being stabbed in a courtyard at All Saints later that day. The court has heard that the defendant, who cannot be named, has admitted manslaughter but denies murder. He has also admitted possession of a knife on school premises. Addressing the jury last week, Mr Hussain said: '(The defendant) did not set out to kill or seriously hurt anyone. 'The defence say (the defendant's) actions that day were the end result of a long period of bullying, poor treatment and violence, things that built one upon another until he lost control and did tragically what we've all seen.'
CBC
7 days ago
- CBC
Teen accused of setting classmate on fire at Evan Hardy Collegiate re-elects trial by judge alone
A Saskatoon teen who is charged with setting a classmate on fire will stand trial by judge alone. The 15-year-old had previously chosen a jury trial at Court of King's Bench, but she changed that election on July 16. The accused and the teenage victim cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Prosecutor Ainsley Furlonger said there is no trial date set yet. The teen's lawyer is waiting for the results of an unspecified assessment, which is expected early next month. Furlonger said a case management meeting is set for Aug. 27. Furlonger filed a direct indictment against the 15-year-old girl in April, meaning there won't be any preliminary hearings where evidence can be tested. The indictment contains two charges: that the teen attempted to murder a classmate at Evan Hardy Collegiate by setting her on fire and that she caused bodily harm to the teacher who was injured when he tried to put out the fire. The incident happened in the first week of school in September 2024. The victim sustained burns to 40 per cent of her body after the accused allegedly poured a flammable liquid on her head and torso and lit her on fire in a hallway outside a classroom, just before lunch. The Crown previously gave notice in provincial court that it intends to seek an adult sentence for the teen, if she is convicted.
RNZ News
10-07-2025
- RNZ News
Dunedin teen to be sentenced for bus stop stabbing of Enere Taana-McLaren
Enere Taana-McLaren was 16-years-old when he was stabbed by another teen at Dunedin's bus hub in May last year. Photo: Facebook screenshot The 14-year-old killer of Dunedin secondary student Enere Taana-McLaren will be sentenced today. The then-13-year-old, who has interim name suppression, stabbed Taana-McLaren once with a large kitchen knife following a confrontation between the pair at Dunedin's bus hub in May last year. The teenager was acquitted in March of murdering the 16-year-old Trinity Catholic College student, but the jury found the boy guilty of manslaughter . Sentencing judge Justice Robert Osborne also oversaw the two-week jury trial in the Dunedin High Court earlier this year. During the trial, the boy's lawyer said he was defending himself against a bigger, older boy, who he believed wanted to bash him. However, the prosecution argued he pursued and stabbed the older boy to defend his "gangster persona" . The jury was shown graphic CCTV footage of the fatal encounter. It took only 60 seconds from the killer getting off the bus to the teenagers being separated with Taana-McLaren clutching a stab wound. The court heard the victim verbally accosted the younger boy who was walking past him. The boy responded by giving Taana-McLaren the middle finger and then walking back towards the victim after trading insults. They squared off and the younger boy pulled the kitchen knife out of his bag. The defence said he carried the knife and was already hypersensitive to threats after an earlier assault, while the prosecution claimed it was not self defence because he chose to take out the knife and chase the victim, so as not to look like a coward. The footage showed Taana-McLaren retreating onto the road before aiming a kick at the younger boy's head. They grappled and the younger boy swung the knife towards Taana-McLaren twice. The second swing landed, stabbing Taana-McLaren at least 10 centimetres through his stomach to the muscles near his spine. He died in hospital later that day. It took the jury more than two days of deliberations to reach its verdicts. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Yahoo
Hattiesburg police cracking down on violent crimes by young offenders. What is the plan?
A recent spate of youth crimes brought local and state law enforcement officers together to put an end to it. Hattiesburg Police Chief Hardy Sims held a news conference Wednesday, July 9, to address the recent rise in teens committing violent crimes. "Recent trends in violence in young people are alarming," Sims said. "We must collectively take a stand to foster an environment where peace, respect and understanding prevail over conflict and aggression." Sims said the trend is not just local — youth crime is on the rise nationwide. Locally, however, Sims wants the Hattiesburg community to know it's being taken seriously and won't be tolerated. "Over the next few days and weeks, we will actively work to change the behavior of our young adults," Sims said. "They will be held responsible for their actions. Additionally, we will strictly enforce our curfew laws and hold those who violate them accountable." Sims added that parents also can be charged for allowing their teens to be out past curfew. He said they will be held accountable along with their children. Curfew for those younger than 18 is 11 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Over the Fourth of July holiday weekend alone, one 16-year-old was charged with aggravated assault and evidence tampering after an 18-year-old was shot in the leg multiple times on Country Club Road. Another five teens were charged with commercial burglary in a separate incident on Old Highway 11. On Monday, police responded to a shooting on Hardy Street, where three teens were arrested. Two of the teens have been charged in the incident — a 15-year-old was charged as an adult with aggravated assault and a 14-year-old was charged with evidence tampering and accessory after the fact. The victim was able to get away without being injured. The incident remains under investigation. It is unclear whether the third teen will be charged. Last year, four teens were charged with the murder of 21-year-old Southern Miss football player Marcus "MJ" Daniels. Three of the teens pleaded guilty to the murder. A fourth was convicted at trial on June 19. "I want to directly address the youth of our community," Sims said. "Your potential is boundless. The choices you make today will shape not only your lives, but the lives of those around you." Sims said young people must not give in to social pressures to retaliate in responding to situations. He encouraged teens to look for alternatives to resolving conflict instead of resorting to violence. "Violence is never the answer," he said, directly addressing the city's youth. "Choosing a path of aggression will only lead to consequences that can alter the course of your life forever." Sims said the Hattiesburg community has plenty of resources to help young people resolve conflict before it escalates, including youth programs, counseling services and mentorship opportunities. "I implore you to engage with our youth," Sims said, addressing parents and caregivers. "Open lines of communication, foster an environment of trust and be active in their lives. Your guidance and support are invaluable." While Hattiesburg police want to encourage an environment of support and nurturing for the city's young people, Sims said the department also has the responsibility of enforcing the law. "Those who choose to engage in violent behavior will face serious consequences," Sims said. "Our officers are committed to keeping our community safe. We will take all necessary measures to prevent violence from becoming a norm among our youth." Other local and state agencies, including Petal Police Department, Forrest County Sheriff's Office and Mississippi Highway Patrol, are taking similar measures to stem the rise in youth violence across the Pine Belt. "Enough is enough," Sims said. "Let us work hand in hand to create a brighter future for our cities and counties — one where our youth are empowered to make positive choices and pursue their dreams without the shadow of violence." Forrest County Sheriff Charlie Sims said youth violence is increasing at the county level as well. The sheriff is not related to Chief Sims. "Unfortunately, in recent weeks, we've had a threat to (our community) values," the sheriff said. "People have chosen to increase their activity in violent behavior, and that is not what our community is about. "We cannot let crime dictate how we live, where we go, and how we feel safe in our own homes. We can't stand by and watch families be devastated, lives lost and our neighborhoods overcome with crime. This is just not who we are." Although there were no youth crimes recorded over the holiday weekend in Forrest County, the sheriff's deputies assisted Hattiesburg in a number of crimes, including another shooting in which multiple people were injured. No one has yet been charged in connection with that shooting. There are currently 10 juveniles housed in the youth detention center in Forrest County, and another eight charged as adults at the county jail, which Sims said is far too many. "We're going to take decisive action," Charlie Sims said. "Law enforcement agencies around this area are coming together to increase patrols, share information and to have focused operations on those who are out there committing these violent crimes. "We're going to identify them and we're going to arrest them." State and federal agencies are working with local law enforcement to protect people from violent crimes and prosecute those who commit them, Charlie Sims said. "This is about the safety of our families," Sheriff Sims said. "This is a great community full of promise. We've got strong families, and we're rooted in faith. We're not going to let a small group of individuals who choose violence to destroy what a generation has built up here." Lici Beveridge is a reporter for the Hattiesburg American and Clarion Ledger. Contact her at lbeveridge@ Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at This article originally appeared on Hattiesburg American: Violent teens in Hattiesburg, MS: Crime trend prompts police crackdown
