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Murder trial begins for Saskatoon man accused in motel parking lot stabbing

Click to play video: 'Video played at Saskatoon murder trial shows two men in altercation'
Video played at Saskatoon murder trial shows two men in altercation
WATCH ABOVE: The second-degree murder trial of Alvin Naistus began Monday in Saskatoon. The 26-year-old is accused of stabbing 44-year-old William Johnston in 2015. – Mar 27, 2017

Crown prosecutors have started to present evidence in the second-degree murder trial of a 26-year-old Saskatoon man who is accused of stabbing a 44-year-old man to death in a motel parking lot almost two years ago.

The Crown alleges that in the early morning hours of April 18, 2015, Alvin Naistus killed William Johnston after a series of events at the Northwoods Inn and Suites.

READ MORE: Man charged in Saskatoon’s latest homicide makes court appearance

In her opening statement, Crown prosecutor Jennifer Claxton-Viczko said the case revolves around “getting mad and getting even.”

“This case is about bravado,” Claxton-Viczko said to the jury of seven men and five women.

Claxton-Viczko stated that Johnston had been in a room at the motel when he became hostile. She alleged that Johnston left the room, but was followed by Naistus and a “back and forth” began between the men.

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Both had bladed weapons at the time, according to the Crown, however they allege that Johnston started to retreat as Naistus advanced. In her statement, Claxton-Viczko told the jury that Naistus eventually stabbed Johnston in the head and in the heart.

A photo of William Johnston. Supplied

Johnston died in hospital later that morning, while Naistus was arrested in Saskatoon three days following the incident.

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READ MORE: Police identify homicide victim found at Saskatoon motel

During the trial’s first day, a woman testified that she was at the motel on the morning of the incident and heard a commotion outside of the room she was in. The woman told the jury that she began recording the incident on her cellphone.

The video was played for the jury. It showed two men in an altercation, while swearing and shouting could be heard.

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The jury also heard Monday from a Saskatoon Police Service constable who attended the scene of the incident and testified that the motel was one of the service’s highest call volume areas at the time of the incident.

The Crown stated that they plan to call 22 witnesses during the trial, which is expected to last until mid-April.

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