Calgary man who killed roommate with sword guilty of murder, says jury

A Calgary man who fatally stabbed his roommate in the heart with a sword is guilty of murder, jurors have ruled.

Michael Elendu, 21, was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of Kyreese Wright, 20, who was killed in 2020.

At the beginning of the trial, Elendu offered to plead guilty to manslaughter, but prosecutors Samina Dhalla and Shane Parker proceeded to trial on a charge of second-degree murder. 

On Wednesday night, after deliberating for 3½ hours, jurors returned with their verdict.

• Argument over loud music led to roommate's fatal sword attack, Calgary jurors told

Elendu never denied he killed Wright, but defence lawyers Derek Jugnauth and Matthew Browne argued he was guilty only of manslaughter.

At the time of the killing, the two men were living with other roommates in the northwest community of Panorama Hills. 

• Sword stab to the heart unintentional, accused killer says in Calgary murder trial

During the trial, jurors heard that Elendu and Wright got into a fight over loud music on the morning of Dec. 16, 2020. 

Wright locked himself in a roommate's basement bedroom but Elendu followed, banging on the door.

When Wright opened the door, Elendu stabbed him in the heart.

Two roommates testified that Elendu recorded the dying victim on the ground while "taunting" him and calling him names.

A date for a sentencing hearing will be booked next month.