Witnesses in murder trial describe altercation the night 28-year-old Behchokǫ, N.W.T., man died

The second day of the second-degree murder trial for a youth charged with killing Dien Erasmus in Behchokǫ, N.W.T., heard from witnesses who described an altercation between the accused and Erasmus the day he died. 

Erasmus's body was found on July 18, 2023. The Youth Criminal Justice Act prohibits CBC News from identifying the accused, who was 16 at the time.

Crown lawyer Jeffrey Major-Hansford presented several civilian witness testimonies from individuals who saw the accused and Erasmus around the time of the crime.

On July 18, 2023, at 7 a.m., RCMP found Erasmus's body in a grassy area next to a roadway in Behchokǫ̀. 

An autopsy determined that Erasmus, 28, died from stab wounds and internal hemorrhagic shock.

Witness saw 2 people fighting 

Ete Zoe, who was a friend of Erasmus, testified that she was with him on the night of the incident. She said a group of friends and cousins picked Erasmus up from his house to drink at a friend's place.

Later that night, she heard loud yelling and saw Erasmus and the accused, who she said was near the door, swearing at each other. She said at one point, Erasmus began chasing the accused.

Zoe said she followed them, and using a map in court, she pointed out that she passed through the Elizabeth Mackenzie Elementary School playground. The Crown presented CCTV footage from the school playground showing two individuals speaking with Erasmus around 3 a.m. 

One of those individuals, who cannot be identified because they're a youth, also testified. The witness stated she was sitting with a friend at the school area around 3 a.m. when she saw the accused running by, about 30 feet away. She called out to him, but he didn't respond.

Shortly after, Erasmus approached her, asked where the accused had gone, and then followed in the same direction. A minute later Zoe arrived and the three began heading toward Erasmus and the accused.

The witness testified they heard shouting between Erasmus and the accused, with threats of beating each other. Shortly after, she heard the sound of glass breaking and decided not to follow further.

Albertine Washie testified that she was walking along a street that night when she saw three people arguing about 15 to 20 feet away. As she moved closer, she recognized the accused and his brother but did not recognize the third person.

Washie said she asked, "Why are you guys fighting?" but the accused's brother shouted and asked her to leave.

Washie said she attempted to get help from neighbours, but no one responded, so she left the scene.

The accused's brother was also asked to testify in court and share details about what happened, but said he had nothing to share about the incident. 

Evidence is circumstantial, defence says

Defence counsel Evan McIntyre argued that the evidence against his client is circumstantial.

He highlighted that Zoe admitted to drinking that night and feeling the effects of alcohol. McIntyre argued that she mentioned different points in court than in her statement to RCMP. 

McIntyre also argued that the witnesses at the school playground could only hear yelling but did not see the interaction between Erasmus and the accused because tall trees blocked their view. He added that while the sound of glass breaking was assumed to involve Erasmus and the accused, none of the witnesses saw this happen.

The trial continues Wednesday.