Key witness to 2019 stabbing death of Ryan Babineau testifies
Warning: Details in this article may be disturbing to some readers.
A key witness testified at the trial of Abad Shire, accused of killing a 30-year-old Barrie man in 2019.
While on the witness stand, the woman, who CTV News will not be identifying, said she was one of several people in the Dunlop Street East apartment on Nov. 16 when two men entered and stabbed Ryan Babineau what seemed like "at least 100 times" with knives.
The witness said drugs, like fentanyl and cocaine, were being used when the two men arrived at the apartment, adding, "as soon as they walked into the living room, there was stabbing."
She admitted to the court she had a history of drug addiction and memory loss from a stroke a few years ago.
Still, the woman testified she had no issue remembering Babineau being stabbed by two men as a third stood by the door.
Court heard the witness saying she remembers Babineau trying to avoid being stabbed while pleading for it to stop.
During the Crown's opening submissions Tuesday, court heard Babineau suffered more than 60 stab wounds and lacerations in the chest, legs, back and face.
The witness said the man by the door yelled, "Stop, boys, stop."
Before they left, she testified the Somali man, who she knew as Jeremy, threatened to kill everyone in the room and their families if they said anything about what they had witnessed.
Babineau was covered in blood and began gargling before she left, the witness said.
Shire's defence lawyer spent Wednesday afternoon cross-examining the woman, questioning inconsistencies in her story and trying to convince the jury her memory and testimony was unreliable.
The witness told the court the man she knew as Jeremy sold her drugs and said she could identify him without doubt as Abad Shire.
The allegations against the accused have not been proven in court.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian home sales expected to pick up in spring but inventory still lags
The Canadian real estate market has been sluggish since last year, when prospective buyers started putting off plans to purchase homes as the Bank of Canada aggressively hiked interest rates eight consecutive times. But realtors see many edging toward a purchase once more.

China and Russia's complicated friendship, explained
Chinese leader Xi Jinping just concluded a three-day visit with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a warm affair in which the two men praised each other and spoke of a profound friendship. It's a high point in a complicated, centuries-long relationship.
What made Beethoven sick? DNA from his hair offers clues
Nearly 200 years after Ludwig van Beethoven's death, researchers pulled DNA from strands of his hair, searching for clues about the health problems and hearing loss that plagued him.
Calgary doctor performs spine surgery on conscious patient
Last month, Dr. Michael Yang, a spine surgeon at Foothills Medical Centre, performed a discectomy to remove the damaged part of a herniated disc in the spine, on a patient who was wide awake.
Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision trial brings doctors to stand
More witnesses are expected to testify on Wednesday in a trial about a 2016 ski crash between Gwyneth Paltrow and a retired Utah man suing her and claiming her recklessness left him with lasting injuries and brain damage.
'I'm a Canadian': MP named in foreign interference report speaks out, refutes claims
The Liberal MP who allegedly benefitted from Chinese election interference is speaking out against the report, categorically stating the foreign government did not help him in his nomination campaign.
Canadians throw out millions of food products each year. Here's how to reduce that waste
Canadians are throwing out millions of food products each year, a practice that is not only harming the environment but also their wallets. Here are some tips to reduce food waste from an eco expert.
Shake Shack to come to Canada in 2024 with first location set for Toronto
Canadians with a hankering for Shake Shack's juicy burgers soon won't have to cross the border to satisfy their cravings. Toronto-based private investment firms Osmington Inc. and Harlo Entertainment Inc. announced plans Wednesday to bring the U.S. fast food giant to Canada.
5 remain missing as rescuers continue search through wreckage of Old Montreal fire
The search for victims continues in Old Montreal Wednesday, nearly a week after a major fire left at least two dead and five missing. Rescuers are slowly but surely combing through the historic building, which contained multiple illegal Airbnb units at the time of the fire.