HALIFAX — The defence at the second-degree murder trial of Nicholas Butcher has closed its case, after the 36-year-old law school graduate testified that he fatally stabbed Montreal-born yoga instructor Kristin Johnston by accident. She suggested that Butcher’s neck wounds were self-inflicted, but Butcher denied that. After Ball was finished questioning Butcher, the defence told the jury that his client would not be calling further evidence. The jury was told to come back on Thursday for closing submissions. Butcher had been in a relationship with the 32-year-old yoga teacher, but friends of Johnston’s testified in Nova Scotia Supreme Court she had broken up with him only hours before her death.

Source: National Post April 23, 2018 10:41 UTC