Muhammad Venne, an avid outdoorsman, was killed on June 3, 2020. (Submitted photo)

By Nigel Maxwell

Court proceedings

Venne murder verdict reserved for one month

Mar 13, 2023 | 5:00 PM

Citing what he referred to as complex overtones, the justice overseeing the Keegan Nelson-Smith murder trial at Prince Albert Court of King’s Bench has reserved his verdict until April 17.

Prior to doing so though, Justice R.W. Danyluk informed family members in the courtroom, it was not his intention to prolong anyone’s agony.

Two weeks were set aside for the Hall Lake man’s trial, however it was wrapped up early Monday afternoon following submissions from lawyers. Defence lawyer Michael Nolin also opted not to enter any evidence and the accused was not asked to testify.

Nelson-Smith, 23, is facing a charge of second degree murder in the June 2020 death of Muhammad Venne.

Venne, who was 29 at the time, was stabbed multiple times, during an alleged altercation outside a house at Bell’s Point. He was soon after transported by ambulance to hospital where he was pronounced deceased..

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Crown prosecutor Muhammad Zubair argued Monday their case was strong enough to meet the burden of proof.

Among the evidence provided were at least two civilian witnesses who testified seeing Nelson-Smith fight with Venne, and a number of other witnesses who could at the very least place him at the scene. Zubair also recalled one specific witness who watched the fight.

“I can’t forget that face,” the witness testified.

And while also acknowledging another witness who said it was Venne who instigated the fight, Zubair countered whether Nelson-Smith may have acted in self-defence.

“The response is deeply disproportional,” he said.

In turn, defence lawyer Michael Nolin explained there were too many issues with witness testimony to prove beyond a reasonable doubt Nelson-Smith attempted to kill Venne and commit second-degree murder.

In addition to concerns around witness sobriety and the darkness at the time of the fight, one of the points of contention last week was what the assailant was wearing. A number of people recalled the assailant dressed in dark clothing, however according to a video played for the court, Nelson-Smith was observed wearing light clothing.

Anther witness testified he saw Nelson-Smith wearing a blood-stained jacket, and claimed Nelson-Smith had discarded it but Nolin questioned how the jacket was never found.

“Beyond a reasonable doubt is a high bar,” he said.

During cross examination last week, Nolin inferred it was someone else who fought with Venne, and due to the gang-related ties, a decision was made to throw Nelson-Smith under the bus.

Nolin also pointed out how despite one witness claiming to have carried Venne and staying with him, no other witness mentioned that. Nolin also noted no blood was ever found on the road, but there was blood found on the socks Venne was wearing.

“How could that have happened to a guy with shoes on,” he asked.

Another of the Crown’s witnesses was a teenage girl who was 13 at the time of the incident and told police three times it was someone else. She however later testified she just associated the wrong names to the right people.

Acknowledging the possibility the Crown is somehow able to prove it was Nelson-Smith fighting with Venne, Nolin said at the very most the conviction should be manslaughter.

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nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell