Man accused of fatally stabbing boy made comments about taking him from his mom: victim’s aunt
Warning: This story contains content that may be disturbing to some readers.
At a trial for her nephew’s accused killer, the aunt of 3-year-old Hunter Smith-Straight recalled the morning the boy was found stabbed in his bed.
Roxanna Moar testified at the first-degree murder trial for Daniel Jensen, who was dating Hunter’s mom at the time of the stabbing.
Moar teared up on the witness stand when talking about the moments before Hunter was found critically injured in the early hours of Oct. 30, 2019,at his family’s Pritchard Avenue home.
Moar lived in the same home, in the lower suite with her own children and partner.
The couple was out for the evening with Moar’s sister, Clarice Smith, who is Hunter’s mom and Clarice’s boyfriend of seven months, and Jensen, who’s accused of stabbing and killing the boy.
His first-degree murder trial is being heard by a jury in the Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench.
Moar testified Clarice and Jensen got into an argument during a car ride and at one point Jensen made a comment about taking Clarice’s baby.
“She (Clarice) hit him,” Moar told the jury. “She hit him at least 10 times.”
Moar testified the couple continued arguing at the Northern Hotel bar where Jensen made a similar comment.
“He sat across from my sister Clarice and said it again, that he was going to take Hunter from her,” Moar told the jury.
Moar testified Clarice got up from the table the group was sitting at and left.
“How was he reacting to that?” Crown attorney Jennifer Mann asked about Jensen.
“He cried,” Moar told the jury.
Moar testified Jensen then became jealous about another man at the bar.
Court has previously heard Clarice had plans to move away from Winnipeg with Hunter and Jensen but then told Jensen she was only going with Hunter.
When Clarice returned to the table, Moar testified the arguing between Clarice and Jensen continued.
“She said that Hunter was the only one that mattered to her,” Moar testified.
At one point Moar left the bar and when she went to the washroom she found her sister injured.
Clarice testified Tuesday Jensen assaulted her in the bar and in the washroom.
“She had a gash across her nose,” Moar testified.“She was bleeding.”
The jury previously heard evidence Jensen walked out of the bar on his own.
The Crown alleges he walked to the home on Pritchard Avenue and repeatedly stabbed Hunter.
Moar testified the rest of the group left the bar together around 2 a.m. on Oct. 30.
She told the jury she returned home and checked on her kids while Clarice stayed in a car with other members of their group.
Moar told jurors she went upstairs where Hunter had been sleeping and saw the boy in his room.
“I thought he was sleeping,” Moar testified.“It looked like he was sleeping.”
Moar told jurors she didn’t see Jensen in the house.
She testified her son and daughter also went upstairs.
Moar went back downstairs and then heard her daughter crying and screaming something was wrong with Hunter.
She testified her daughter got on the phone with 911 while Hunter’s mom was called to return home.
Court has previously heard this all happened around 2:30 a.m.
Hunter was found with a knife in his neck and was taken to hospital by first responders but died three days later.
A forensic identification officer who documented the scene also testified Wednesday.
The jury heard the officer testify about several blood stains found in the suite which were swabbed and some were sent away for DNA analysis.
Jensen has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder.
The trial continues.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
Soft skills, preparation can help new graduates land jobs, experts say
As new graduates enter the workforce over the next few weeks, they are likely to face challenges getting their foot in the door and must be prepared to effectively communicate what they bring to the company.