Fate of man accused of killing battle rapper Pat Stay now in hands of a jury
The trial of Adam Drake, the man accused of killing Dartmouth battle rapper Pat Stay in 2022, has reached a pivotal moment as the fate of the defendant now rests in the hands of a jury. Justice Scott Norton delivered his final instructions to the jurors on Tuesday after weeks of testimony in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Dartmouth.
Adam Drake, 34, stands accused of second-degree murder in connection with the stabbing death of Pat Stay, who tragically lost his life in a downtown Halifax nightclub on September 4, 2022. The prosecution has presented evidence linking Drake to the fatal altercation, while the defense has sought to create doubt around his intentions and state of mind at the time of the incident.
During his instructions to the jury, Justice Norton outlined the three possible verdicts they could reach. The jurors have the option to find Drake guilty of second-degree murder, guilty of manslaughter, or not guilty. In the case of manslaughter, the jury would need to determine that Drake caused Stay’s death but did not intend for it to happen.
A key piece of evidence in the trial is the surveillance video from inside the Yacht Club Social on the night of the incident. The footage captures a confrontation between Stay and an unidentified individual, culminating in Stay being punched from behind and falling to the floor. The grainy black and white video has been closely analyzed by both the Crown and the defense to support their respective arguments.
As the jury begins deliberations, the possibility of a verdict looms. Justice Norton advised the jurors to be prepared for an extended deliberation period, suggesting they bring overnight bags in case a decision is not reached by the end of the day.
The outcome of the trial will have significant implications for both the victim’s family and the accused. The community has been following the proceedings closely, eager to see justice served in this high-profile case. The verdict will bring closure to a tragic chapter in Dartmouth’s history and provide a sense of resolution for all those affected by the loss of Pat Stay.
