Editor’s note: This story was originally published on Wednesday, May 16. It was updated on Wednesday, May 23 to reflect the fact Mbaye has retained a lawyer.
Ahmadou Bamba Mbaye, the 41-year-old charged in the death of his estranged wife, Bigue Ndao, made a brief court appearance on Wednesday morning.
Mbaye made the brief appearance with his new lawyer, Anwar Jarrah. Jarrah told the judge Mbaye’s family retained him on Tuesday and he needs time to go through disclosure.
The appearance came one week after Mbaye’s first court appearance, where he appeared via CCTV, clad in an orange jumpsuit. Mbaye did not speak to the judge or enter a plea to his charges.
Mbaye is charged with second-degree murder and possession of a weapon dangerous to the public (a knife) in the death of 33-year-old Ndao.
On Monday, May 7, witnesses told Global News they heard a woman’s screams coming from one of the Strathearn Heights units.
They said a small group of residents ran to try and help when they saw a man standing over a woman in a doorway, stabbing her repeatedly.
READ MORE: Edmonton homicide victim fled Senegal with children; estranged husband charged
A bail hearing was originally set for May 23, but put off as Mbaye’s recently retained his lawyer.
Members of the Senegalese community were at court last Wednesday for the appearance but told Global News they had never met the victim or the accused.
Mbaye remains in custody. His next court date has been set for June 20.