Published Jun 13, 2025 • 3 minute readAdam Joseph Drake is led out of Halifax provincial court in October 2022. He is charged with second degree murder in the death of Dartmouth rap artist Pat Stay. Photo by Tim KrochakVideo evidence should be enough to convict Adam Drake for killing rap artist Pat Stay in a Halifax club almost three years ago even though the knife can’t be seen, the Crown told jurors during its final submissions in the four-week trial.Drake, 34, of Upper Tantallon is charged with second-degree murder in the stabbing death of Stay in the early morning hours of Sept. 4, 2022.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentCrown attorney Tanya Carter told the jury in Dartmouth Supreme Court on Friday that video evidence from cameras inside the Yacht Club Social and elsewhere should lead them to the conclusion that it was Drake who drove a knife four to six inches through Stay’s chest and into his heart. Pat Stay was fatally stabbed at Yacht Club Social on Lower Water Street in Halifax on Sept. 4, 2022. Adam Joseph Drake is on trial in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Dartmouth on a charge of second-degree murder. Photo by Ryan Taplin /THE CHRONICLE HERALD“In this case you have the whole picture you need because this terrible incident is captured on video, along with many of the surrounding circumstances,” Carter said.She said that while the actual stabbing isn’t captured on video, no one else could have done it based on where they were standing during the five seconds that Stay encountered Drake, Stay’s reaction and when blood appeared on his shirt.“Because it is not well lit and from some distance does not mean we can’t plainly see what happened,” Carter said. “When you become familiar with the people individually who occupied the VIP corner, which you can do by watching each of their actions individually and collectively, the infrared videos become more and more clear.”Article contentRead More Adam Drake elects not to call evidence at his murder trial Stay’s blood found on Drake’s shoe, DNA expert testifies Pat Stay died from stab wound to heart, medical examiner testifies Stay, accused had argument before stabbing, murder trial hears Carter said that while a knife isn’t visible in the video from inside the bar because Stay’s back is to the camera and a striking arm can’t be seen,” you can see at the critical moment . . . how Pat Stay’s body is impacted and how Adam Drake’s body jerks forward. You can also see how the other people nearby moved and what they were doing. When you put these movements together, it’s clear that Adam Drake is the perpetrator.”She said there were other people nearby at the time Stay was stabbed, but none of them could be responsible. She walked the jury through the positions and other actions of the other people, using the video to make the case that none of them were responsible.Article contentOne video that was replayed showed Stay’s body react, reaching out to push Drake away. Dartmouth battle rapper Pat Stay died Sept. 4, 2022 after he was stabbed at a bar in downtown Halifax. Photo by Facebook“Why would he push Drake if he doesn’t see the knife coming from Drake’s direction?” Carter said.She said the Crown isn’t suggesting that Drake planned to murder Stay but that he knew Stay was coming to the club, waited for him to enter and “got ready to attack at the right moment in a dark back corner, surrounded by his friends. It was so fast no one knew what happened.”The medical examiner testified that the knife entered Stay’s body at about a 45-degree angle that was similar to the angle between Stay and Drake, and that made him the only person who could make that wound path based on his position.The defence will make its closing submissions Monday, and Justice Scott Norton will give his instructions to the jury Tuesday before they are sequestered to begin deliberations.Article content
Jury has the evidence it needs to convict Drake in killing of Stay: Crown
