Witnesses tell manslaughter trial about events before fatal assault on Edmonton teen

The family of a teenage boy who was fatally assaulted say they're keeping his memory alive, even as a court-ordered publication ban means they can't publicly say his name.

A manslaughter trial began in Edmonton's Court of King's Bench this week for one of seven people charged in connection with the 16-year-old's death.

The accused, referred to as S.M. in court documents, was 15 on April 8, 2022, when the victim was fatally stabbed. S.M.'s identity is subject to a publication ban under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Evidence about his alleged role in the attack has not been presented in court.

The name of the victim, the other six youths who were charged and the name of the high school the victim attended are all also under publication bans.

As a witness testified Friday about the events immediately before the attack, the victim's mother began sobbing, as other family members in the courtroom tried to comfort her.

A cousin of the victim later told reporters that the family is learning new details about the assault through the court proceedings, which are difficult to hear.

"As a mother, I think she wants to know. But it's so hard. Every breath for her to take in that courtroom is excruciating," she said.

"Our whole lives just revolve around this and I think they will for a long, long time — even after the trials are over."

Another accused is scheduled to go to trial for second-degree murder in September. Three other accused facing manslaughter charges are set to go to trial together in November.

Family members of a 16-year-old boy who was fatally assaulted in 2022 speak to media in Edmonton on Friday. (Madeline Smith/CBC)

The cousin said the family accepts the publication ban on their relative's name for now, with other trials coming up. But they hope the restrictions will be lifted in the future so they can tell his story.

"He'll be forgotten, is what my fear is. And I just cannot let that happen," she said.

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Events before the attack

The court heard testimony this week from two young women about the events leading up to the assault nearly two years ago.

The witnesses who testified Thursday and Friday said that they were among a group of high schoolers who skipped classes on the day of the assault. They spent time driving around the city, meeting up with another group of teens and making stops at other schools, a convenience store and a recreation centre.

Court heard that near the end of the school day, the two groups drove together back to the first high school. The witnesses said they needed to return to pick up another teen who was expecting a ride home.

The young women said they were among five people travelling in a Honda Accord, including S.M. Several boys in a different vehicle also drove to the school at the same time.

The witness who testified Friday said that she and the others recognized the 16-year-old victim, and when they saw him cross the street in front of them, S.M. and another boy, also charged in the case, got out of the car.

She said she didn't see what happened as the girl driving the car circled around a parking lot. But a short time later, she said she saw the victim on the ground.

She testified that several boys got back in the car, and they drove away.

Defence lawyer Brian Beresh put it to both witnesses that there was no prior discussion about wanting to fight or do anything violent that day, and no one in the car displayed any weapons. He said it was a "pure chance encounter" that they saw the victim. Both witnesses agreed.

The trial is scheduled to continue next week.

On Tuesday, one of the other suspects charged in the 16-year-old's death pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Court heard the accused in that case did not hit or stab the victim.

Last year, a woman who was 17 at the time of the attack — who court heard was the driver of the Honda Accord — pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to an assault with a weapon. She was sentenced to one year of probation.