Article content“After his death, there was no more joy in life,” his sister said. “The light had gone out of our lives.”Article contentShe said the first night without him was painful.Article content“I imagined him in my dreams,” she said. “He was smiling. I woke up and went to look for him all over the house.”Article contentAs she looked for her brother, she hoped his death was a nightmare that she had woken up from, “but unfortunately it wasn’t.”Article contentOne of her brothers wrote that Ahmad was “nice, sweet, caring, smart, always helping, kind, generous, friendly, respectful, religious, reliable.Article content“He made a difference. He always would light up a room, always made people happy at their worst moments. He always had the biggest smile that made you smile.”Article contentA second brother said Ahmad was the “most fun person in the family.”Article content“I used to hang out with him and go swimming and skating,” he told the court. “He used to help me when I didn’t have money. He used to be in my room every day and we used to play video games. I never felt lonely till he was gone.”Article contentArticle content Police investigate a stabbing in a parking garage at Halifax Shopping Centre on April 22, 2024, that claimed the life of 16-year-old Ahmad Maher Al Marrach. Four youths were charged with second-degree murder. Photo by Tim KrochakArticle contentThe third brother said that even though Ahmad wasn’t his twin, “he made me feel like we were twins. We would go almost everywhere together, but now when I go to these places, it just doesn’t feel the same.”Article contentHe said he and Ahmad practised lacrosse together.Article content“Now I go by myself and it is not as fun anymore,” he said. “But it was his dream to play (on) big teams, so I want to keep his dream alive by playing until I reach his dream.”Article contentAfter a short recess, Ahmad’s killer apologized for his actions.Article content“Ï made the biggest mistake of my life by taking someone else’s,” the Lower Sackville boy said, reading from a prepared statement.Article contentHe said he didn’t know Ahmad but has come to learn that he was “kind, considerate, respectful — the list goes on.Article content“Ahmad didn’t deserve what I did to him. . . . I think about what happened every day.”Article contentHe said he cannot forgive himself for what he did and should not have gotten involved in a dispute that didn’t concern him.Article contentArticle content“I wish to God it never happened,” the teen said. “I wish I had stayed out of it.Article content“I never imagined that day would result in murder. None of us did.”Article contentThe youth said he is embarrassed and disgusted at himself and wants to turn his life around.Article content“I don’t want to hurt anyone else,” he said. “I want to contribute . . . to society.Article content“I want to be a better person, for myself, my family and my community.”Article contentTwo of the accused pleaded guilty to the lesser offence of manslaughter and received 27-month sentences of intensive rehabilitative custody and supervision.Article contentA 15-year-old Lower Sackville girl who was dating the stabber was sentenced in April to three months of custody at the Nova Scotia Youth Centre in Waterville, followed by two years of community supervision.Article contentAn 18-year-old Halifax man who was 16 at the time of the killing was sentenced in August. He was ordered to serve 10 more months in custody and 17 months of community supervision.Article contentThe fourth accused, a Dartmouth boy who has since turned 18, went to trial on the murder charge but was found guilty of manslaughter this July. The Crown is seeking an adult sentence for that teen, who lured Ahmad to the parkade for a one-on-one fight but arranged for the other boys to jump in within seconds.Article contentThe maximum adult sentence for manslaughter is life in prison. The maximum youth sentence would be three years.Article content
‘I have collapsed without you’: Halifax youth court judge hears impact statements from teen murder victim’s family
