Teen accused in daytime slaying denied bail

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This article was published 05/06/2024 (511 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A man accused of stabbing and killing a 14-year-old girl in downtown Winnipeg in broad daylight has been denied bail.

The 18-year-old, who was 17 at the time of the slaying, will remain in custody following the Dec. 15, 2023 fatal stabbing of the teen on Graham Avenue, just west of Fort Street, around 1 p.m.

The accused was denied bail by provincial court Judge Mary Kate Harvie, who delivered her decision at the Manitoba Youth Centre Wednesday afternoon.

Details of the bail hearing cannot be published under a court-ordered publication ban. Neither the accused nor the victim can be named under provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Five family members of the accused lined the small courtroom. The male sat in the prisoner’s box in a grey T-shirt and listened intently to Harvie’s decision, which was given over the span of 20 minutes. As the judge read, supporters periodically glanced at the accused while the 18-year-old stroked his chin and adjusted his glasses.

After Harvie delivered her decision, a supporter called out to the accused: “Peace out bro, love you. Quit getting so big on me.” The 18-year-old replied with: “Peace, bro.”

The Winnipeg Police Service arrested and charged the teen with second-degree murder three days after the slaying.

Police said the girl was stabbed multiple times during an argument. The victim was with the accused and two girls, all of whom knew each other.

The group was in a nearby Tim Hortons shortly before the stabbing, an employee told the Free Press in December, who added there appeared to be an argument before they left.

The attack happened in front of the Cargill Building, located less than 200 metres from police headquarters.

Officers arrived moments after the attack and applied a chest seal while providing emergency care to the victim inside the Cargill Building.

Paramedics took her to the hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery, but did not survive.

The 14-year-old was Winnipeg’s youngest homicide victim of 2023. She had been released on bail one day before the slaying after she was charged with biting an outreach worker on the arm and a handful of curfew-related offences.

The accused’s next scheduled court appearance is set for July.

nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca