Nova Scotia

14-year-old girl pleads guilty to manslaughter in Halifax teen's stabbing death

A spokesperson for the provincial Public Prosecution Service says the Crown is no longer seeking an adult sentence for the girl, who was initially charged with second-degree murder.

Teen is scheduled to return to court Oct. 30 when a publication ban will be considered

A boy wearing a black puffy jacket smiles into the camera.
Ahmad Al Marrach came with his family to Canada from Syria as refugees eight years ago. He was a student at Citadel High School. (Al Marrach family image)

A 14-year-old girl has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of manslaughter in the stabbing death of a 16-year-old boy near a Halifax mall earlier this year.

A spokesperson for the provincial Public Prosecution Service confirms the girl appeared in Halifax youth court on Monday, when she also pleaded guilty to a charge of violating the release conditions of her bail.

Melissa Noonan said the Crown is no longer seeking an adult sentence for the girl, who was initially charged with second-degree murder.

The teen is scheduled to return to court Oct. 30 when a publication ban will be considered to protect the right to a fair trial for the others accused in the case.

Two boys, now aged 17 and another boy who is now 15, were also charged with second-degree murder.

The victim, Ahmad Al Marrach, was found badly injured in April in a parking garage next to the Halifax Shopping Centre and he died later in hospital.