Friend of slain Halifax yoga teacher says victim broke up with accused
Nicholas Jordan Butcher accused of 2nd-degree murder in the death of girlfriend Kristin Johnston
A childhood friend of Kristin Johnston's testified that hours before she died Johnston broke up with her boyfriend after he unexpectedly showed up to a gathering where they were.
Nicholas Jordan Butcher, 35, is charged with second-degree murder in the March 2016 death of Johnston, a 32-year-old Halifax yoga teacher. He has pleaded not guilty.
Lisa Abramowicz, a childhood friend of Johnston's who lived in Halifax at the time of her friend's death, testified Johnston told her she needed to end her relationship with Butcher and planned to move to British Columbia at the end of the summer.
Abramowicz told the court she met up with Johnston the night before she died, at around 11 p.m. at Lion and Bright on Halifax's Agricola Street. She said she and Johnston were both a bit "buzzed" but not drunk.
The jury heard that when Butcher showed up at a gathering at an apartment later in the evening, Johnston said to Butcher, "What are you doing here?" Abromowicz said Butcher was only in the apartment for "a few seconds" before she led him out of the apartment.
Friend says Johnston broke up with Butcher
Abromowicz said when Johnston returned to the apartment, she said "I ended it."
Abromowicz said Johnston appeared relieved.
Three friends of Johnston testified on Thursday that she intended to break up with Butcher in the days and weeks leading up to her death on March 26, 2016.
More of Johnston's friends testified on Friday that she intended the break up with Butcher.
Abramowicz said she knew Butcher was a Dalhousie law graduate who was struggling to get a legal articling job and that he was working as a driving instructor.
Crown attorney Tanya Carter has told the jury the medical examiner found Johnston died of 10 sharp-force wounds to her neck. She was found dead in her Purcells Cove-area home.
The Crown expects to call some 40 witnesses in a case that has been scheduled to run for 20 days.
The CBC's Blair Rhodes live blogged from court. Those on mobile can read today's developments here.