A jury has begun deliberating in the second-degree murder trial of Adam Drake, who is accused of fatally stabbing Dartmouth rapper Pat Stay.
With the jury sequestered, a publication ban on the verdict in another trial has been lifted. What the jury doesn’t know is that Drake is already serving a life sentence for another murder.
Drake, 34, is accused of fatally stabbing Stay at a Halifax nightclub in the early hours of Sept. 4, 2022.
Deliberations began shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday in a Dartmouth courthouse, following hours of instruction from Justice Scott Norton.
Closing arguments from both the Crown and defence wrapped up in recent days.
Norton said only physical and video evidence, witness testimony and the agreed statement of facts can be used in deciding whether Drake can be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
He also said no factors outside of the trial’s evidence can play a role in the jury’s decision.
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Stay died after being stabbed at the Yacht Club Social.
The trial has centred around surveillance footage from the club, which the Crown and defence interpret differently.
The defence argued the video doesn’t show Drake stabbing the popular rapper, while the Crown used a process of elimination argument to conclude no one but Drake was in a position to stab Stay at the time.
The judge reminded the jury they are restricted from using any electronic devices during deliberation.
Publication ban lifted
After the jury was sequestered, the publication ban on the verdict in the Tyler Keizer murder was lifted. The ban was in place to ensure a fair trial for Drake in the Pat Stay case.
Now the publication ban has been lifted, Global News can report Drake was found guilty on Oct. 25, 2024, of first-degree murder in the death of Keizer and is serving a life sentence.
Keizer, 27, was shot while sitting in his vehicle at the corner of Gottingen and Falkland streets in November 2016.
Drake was charged in 2019 for that crime, but the charge was withdrawn by the Crown in October 2021 — just days before the trial was set to begin.
Stay was killed a year later in September 2022.
Prosecutors reinstated the charge for Keizer’s murder in October 2022, after Drake was charged in Stay’s death.
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