Sentencing for one of fourth youths begins in Al Marrach’s fatal stabbing

Sentencing began for one of the four teenagers charged in the fatal stabbing of Ahmad Al Marrach in Halifax on Friday.

A sentencing hearing began Friday in Halifax for one of four youth charged in the death of Ahmad Al Marrach.

Al Marrach, 16, was fatally stabbed in the parkade of the Halifax Shopping Centre April 22, 2024, after a group assault.

The girl, 14 at the time, was charged with second-degree murder, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter in October.

She did not stab Al Marrach. According to an agreed statement of facts, she also did not know another youth intended to stab Al Marrach.

But, according to the court document, she “did know that a foreseeable consequence of her participation in the group assault of Ahmad was the risk of serious (non-trivial) bodily harm to Ahmad.”

Her identity and further details about Friday’s testimony are protected under a publication ban.

Ainslie McDougall took the stand Friday. She was qualified as an expert witness as a risk assessment and treatment provider as a forensic psychologist.

She recommended the teen undergo 200 hours of intensive treatment.

At a hearing in January, Basima Al Jaji, Al Marrach’s mother, told youth court that the death of her son has left her life without meaning.

Al Jaji told Judge Mark Heerema that she is still waiting for her son to walk through the front door of the family’s home, and she described how she is still hoping to wake up from a bad dream.

In all, four youths were charged with second-degree murder. One has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and another has pleaded guilty to the second-degree charge. A trial for the fourth youth is ongoing.

-With files from The Canadian Press

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