Opening arguments heard in Hannah Leflar murder trial

The Crown presented a dramatic opening statement about the role an accused teen played in the murder of Hannah Leflar.

Describing “a tragic series of events,” Crown prosecutor Chris White painted a picture of a teen that not only was involved in the planning of the murder but effectively “left her to die”.

On day one of the first-degree murder trial, the teen, who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, sat without emotion in the witness box wearing a brand new dress shirt, the folds from being inside the packet still clearly visible.

In his opening statement, White maintained the accused in the trial was “not a wallflower nor along for the ride.” He was involved in the planning of the killing and did not to stop it.

White stated a text message sent by the accused would be entered as evidence, in it the teen wrote “mission accomplished”.

Defence lawyer Greg Wilson countered in his opening address that being present when someone dies does not equate to holding the knife, not does it mean a person is guilty of first degree murder.

On day one, court heard testimony from four witnesses, including Leflar’s stepfather, Wade Anderson.

He found the 16-year-old, face down at the foot of his bed, covered in blood. Advised by the 911 dispatcher to try chest compressions, he tried that until the police officer arrived on scene. “I could tell by the look of his face, he knew,” Anderson testified.

Both the Constable Jeff Crowley and EMS Brandy Hazzard testified there was no pulse and monitors showed no heartbeat.

Leflar was stabbed nine times, the 10th stab wound being the deadly blow.

Along with the two teens in the case, several witnesses expected over the two week trial are under 18 and cannot be named per the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The trial continues Tuesday.