Nova Scotia·NewA stabbing at a house party in Halifax more than two years ago has netted Alexander Charles Howe a minimum of 10 years in prison. Howe was sentenced Monday morning on a charge of second-degree murder.Alexander Howe sentenced for stabbing Adam Dempsey to death in 2023Blair Rhodes · CBC News · Posted: Nov 17, 2025 1:27 PM EST | Last Updated: 2 minutes agoListen to this articleEstimated 3 minutesThe audio version of this article is generated by text-to-speech, a technology based on artificial intelligence.Alexander Howe of Halifax must serve a minimum of 10 years in prison for a brutal stabbing he admitted to committing more than two years ago. (Robert Short/CBC)A fatal stabbing at a house party more than two years ago has netted a Halifax man a minimum of 10 years in prison. Alexander Charles Howe, 38, learned his fate during an appearance Monday morning in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Halifax. Howe had earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree murder in the death of Adam Dempsey, 32, in August 2023.Court heard that Howe and Dempsey were part of a small gathering at Howe’s apartment in the Halifax community of Spryfield on the evening of Aug. 15. Howe had consumed cocaine and alcohol, and witnesses reported him arguing with Dempsey. The pair appeared to have reconciled when, according to one of the witnesses, Howe picked up a large knife and began stabbing Dempsey. Dempsey fled the apartment and collapsed at the foot of a staircase where Howe caught up to him and resumed his attack.When police arrived, they reported finding Dempsey lying on the ground in a pool of blood. He was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.Howe was facing a jury trial on a charge of first-degree murder when he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge. Second-degree murder carries with it an automatic life sentence, with a judge setting parole eligibility, which can range from 10 to 25 years.The Crown read a victim impact statement from Dempsey’s younger sister who described her brother’s killing as senseless, brutal, evil and scary.Justice Josh Arnold accepted a joint recommendation from Crown and defence lawyers to set Howe’s minimum prison term at 10 years. But the judge took pains to point out that Howe doesn’t automatically get released at the 10-year mark — it’s only when he can begin applying for parole.“It was heinous, it was horrific and a young man lost his life, but like Justice Arnold said, most murders are horrific and the alcohol and drugs certainly were contributing factors here — not an excuse, not a justification,” Crown prosecutor Mike Berrigan said outside court. “But it does provide some insight and some explanation for how he was able to commit this offence.”When given a chance to address the court, Howe declined.“I’m OK, I’m all right, I’ll pass,” he told the judge.MORE TOP STORIESABOUT THE AUTHORBlair Rhodes has been a journalist for more than 40 years, the last 31 with CBC. His primary focus is on stories of crime and public safety. He can be reached at blair.rhodes@cbc.ca
Convicted murderer faces minimum 10 years in prison
