A second teen has pleaded guilty for her role in the death of Serena McKay.
The 19-year-old was killed April 2017 on Sagkeeng First Nation northeast of Winnipeg. A graphic video showing the teen being brutally beaten the night she died was later circulated on social media.
READ: Manitoba First Nation trying to cope after murder of 19-year-old
Two teens, who cannot be named, were later arrested and charged.
In December, one of the accused, who was 17 at the time of the death, pleaded guilty to second degree murder, which comes with a maximum of seven years behind bars. The Crown is not seeking an adult sentence as part of negotiations.
On Wednesday the second accused, who was 16 at the time, pleaded guilty to manslaughter. She was originally charged with second degree murder. The Crown is seeking an adult sentence for her involvement, which comes with a life sentence. If she is charged as a youth she will face just three years behind bars.
Crown attorney Jennifer Comack read an agreed statement of facts to the courtroom on Jan. 10 in the case against the 16-year-old. The teen held her face in her hands as Comack talked about the videos that were shared online showing her involvement in the beatings.
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“McKay’s face is bloody and swollen and she is crying and wailing [in the video],” Comack told the courtroom.
McKay’s autopsy revealed 67 injuries to her body — 19 to her head, two to her neck, 11 to her torso and 35 to the rest of her body.
Comack said the fight started at a party where seven people were drinking and listening to music. Comack said McKay was “being aggressive throughout the evening” and was kicked out of the party. A physical fight between McKay and the accused 16-year-old started outside while the co-accused started filming.
In the 48-second long video Comack said the 16-year-old can be heard saying “‘I don’t want to f—ing see her alive’.”
The teen behind the camera was later seen stomping her boots “on McKay’s face at least six times,” according to Comack.
The courtroom learned the teens went inside the home to go to sleep, leaving McKay outside covered in blood. McKay’s autopsy revealed the probable cause of death was hypothermia but blunt force trauma and alcohol intoxication played a factor in her death.
Sentencing is expected later this year.
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