Daniel Adjetey-Nelson charged with murder in children's grandfather's death

Daniel Adjetey-Nelson has been charged with first-degree murder, accused of stabbing his children's grandfather Thursday in Ottawa's Carlington neighbourhood.

 The 34-year-old man appeared in court Sunday by video link after turning himself into police the day before.

Mitch Paquette, 55, was stabbed on Rosenthal Avenue, near the Central Experimental Farm, at about 6:15 p.m. ET Thursday. It was the city's 14th homicide of the year.

Krystal Kerwin says her family feels "safe" knowing her stepfather's alleged killer is in custody.

While technically her stepfather, Kerwin said Paquette raised her like his own daughter. Her biological father was best friends with Paquette and died 12 years ago.

"Everybody that walked in the same path that Mitch did loved him, laughed with him ... He loved his grandkids. He would walk 1,000 miles to do anything for his grandkids," she said Saturday.

Family seeking counselling 

Kerwin said Paquette and Adjetey-Nelson, with whom she has three children, got into a heated fight that day. She said her children were present at the time of the alleged murder.

"I [saw] him take his last breath ... I was completely numb. I prayed. I never thought today would come. I lost my breath," she said.

Kerwin said her children are seeking counselling through victim services.

"I don't know personally myself how I'm going to overcome this and deal with it but I'm trying," she said, breaking down.

"It's the hardest thing my children have ever gone through."

Adjetey-Nelson is also accused of stealing a motor vehicle and is facing a theft charge.

He is known to police and was out on bail while awaiting trial next year for assault with a weapon, assault causing bodily harm and carrying a concealed weapon in connection with a stabbing in May.

Adjetey-Nelson will be back in court Oct. 18.