Adam Drake guilty of murder in fatal stabbing of battle rapper Pat Stay

A tragic end to a talented life: Pat Stay Murder Trial Verdict

In a courtroom in Nova Scotia, a jury has found 34-year-old Adam Drake guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of renowned battle rapper Pat Stay. Stay, a 36-year-old father of two, was fatally stabbed 2½ years ago at a downtown Halifax nightclub. The verdict was delivered just before 1:30 p.m. today following a month-long trial in Nova Scotia Supreme Court. Jurors deliberated overnight and the tension in the courtroom was palpable as Stay’s family members gasped in relief and cried at the news of the guilty verdict.

Drake, upon hearing the verdict, turned to Stay’s family and expressed disbelief, saying, “Sorry, they got it wrong, you don’t got justice.” Stay’s spouse, Malyssa Burns, spoke to reporters outside the courtroom, expressing the immense relief the guilty verdict brought after five weeks of trial. The conviction for second-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence, with parole eligibility ranging from 10 to 25 years to be determined by Justice Scott Norton at sentencing.

Notably, Drake is already serving a life sentence for first-degree murder in the 2016 shooting death of Tyler Keizer, 22. However, the jury in the Stay trial was unaware of this previous conviction to ensure a fair trial. A key piece of evidence in the trial was grainy black and white surveillance footage from inside the Yacht Club Social, showing Stay in an altercation before being fatally stabbed. The Crown argued that Drake was the only person who could have committed the stabbing, while the defense urged the jury to disregard the video and find Drake not guilty.

The emotionally charged trial saw tensions spilling outside the courtroom, with supporters of Stay confronting Drake’s lawyers on multiple occasions. Sheriffs reprimanded individuals in the gallery for disruptive behavior during closing submissions, highlighting the intense atmosphere surrounding the case. Drake’s previous conviction in Keizer’s murder was not disclosed to the jury, with details of that trial under a publication ban until the jury was sequestered.

Drake was initially charged with first-degree murder in Keizer’s death in 2019, but the charge was withdrawn in 2021. However, following Stay’s tragic death, the charge was reinstated, leading to Drake’s trial and subsequent conviction in Keizer’s murder. The case has captivated public interest, with the trial’s outcome bringing a sense of closure to Stay’s family and supporters.

The guilty verdict in the murder of Pat Stay marks the end of a long and painful legal process, providing some solace to those affected by his untimely death. As the community mourns the loss of a talented artist and devoted family man, the justice system has delivered a verdict that seeks to bring accountability for this senseless act of violence.