Witness testimony has revealed a Courtenay teenager had a conversation about stabbing, just hours before he's accused of fatally wounding 19 year old James Denton.

The 17 year old friend of the accused told the court that they both shared the most part of a 26 ounce bottle of Wisers Black Label whiskey on the night of July 23, 2011. While they were drinking, they got into a "pretty deep conversation."

"We were just talking about life and how things happen really quick," said the witness. "We talked about how he wouldn't want to stab someone because it would mess up his life so quickly."

Under cross-examination the witness explained that the comment was promped by discussion of an event the year before, when the accused had been severely beaten by older teens. The witness said his friend, the accused, was known to sometimes carry a knife.

The witness said that by the end of the Rhythm on the Rock music festival, he and the accused were both drunk. A verbal confrontation erupted with a group of older boys and he heard the accused tell the victim, "Back up or you're going to get shanked."

Seconds later the witness heard Denton say, "I actually got stabbed," by which time the witness says the accused had disappeared into the crowd.

The accused 17 year old local, who cannot be named for legal reasons, sat quietly in the dock wearing a white collared shirt, looking on the verge of tears.

There is a stronger than usual presence of the BC Sheriffs Service at this Supreme Court trial, with one sheriff telling HQ Comox Valley that they knew family tensions would be high.

The trial, initially set down for three weeks, is running ahead of schedule. Crown Prosecutor Gordon Baines, says it might wrap up by the end of next week.

Similar Stories

• Johnny faces second degree murder charge
• No Progress in Port Hardy Murder Case
• Mexico Murder Victim Remembered
• Father Who Stabbed Son 27 Times Not Criminally Responsible
• Local murder suspect linked to Winnipeg victims, facing higher charge

Most Viewed Stories

• Police catch excessive speeder
• Rare whale sighted off BC's coast
• Your horoscope: June 17-23, 2013
• Your horoscope: June 17-23, 2013
• Local business celebrates first clients