Sentencing opens for girl who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in death of Ahmad Al Marrach

Sentencing has begun for a girl who pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the death of Ahmad Al Marrach in Halifax last April. 

Al Marrach was stabbed during an altercation in a parking garage at the Halifax Shopping Centre and died later in hospital.

The girl, who was 14 at the time of the attack, was charged with second-degree murder but subsequently pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

She and a co-accused who also pleaded guilty to manslaughter have already started the sentencing process.

At a one-day hearing in January, members of Al Marrach's family described what his loss has meant to them.

Friday's hearing in Nova Scotia youth court was to begin the actual sentencing process for the girl, with testimony from psychologists and others who have prepared a treatment plan for her.

Because the plan includes details of her mental health, a publication ban limits what can be reported.

The girl sat beside her lawyer. At times, she chewed her nails and looked back frequently in the gallery where her mother was seated. She also took notes and frequently discussed the case with her lawyer, Brandon Rolle.

The first witness to testify was Ainslie McDougall, a psychologist at the IWK Health Centre. She prepared an assessment of the treatment the girl will need.

McDougall estimated about 200 hours of intensive rehabilitation would be needed. But she admitted research in this field is limited because most of it was conducted on adult male offenders.

Judge Mark Heerema must craft the final treatment plan and sentence. The case returns to court later this month for another full day.

2 others charged with 2nd-degree murder

A third teenager charged in the case is part way through a trial on a charge of second-degree murder. 

A fourth teenager pleaded guilty last month to second-degree murder and is scheduled to be sentenced in June.

The identities of all four are protected by a publication ban.