The defence has rested at the murder trial of Elijah Noname. Noname is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Nolen Tanner at a Halloween party in 2013.
On Friday morning, the defence called Charles Tiveron to the stand. Tiveron lived in the 500 block of Montreal Street on the night of Tanner’s death. He told the jury he lived across the street from the home and had a clear view of the party from his front window that night.
Tiveron testified that he and his wife watched as a fight broke out on the house’s front lawn. He said a “big guy” shoved a “smaller guy” to the ground on the street and knocked him unconscious. Tiveron described a busy scene with lots of people fighting on the lawn and on the street. He said he didn’t recognize any faces, saying there were around 15 people pushing and shoving each other.
Tiveron said he called the police after watching the fight. He added that he provided police with a statement the next day, but was not contacted by anybody again until Noname’s case went to trial.
During cross-examination, Tiveron said he didn’t see or hear any gun shots on the night of the party.
The defence wrapped up its case after Tiveron’s testimony, calling only two witnesses. Noname took the stand in his own defence on Thursday. He testified that he did shoot Nolen Tanner, but only after Tanner stabbed him in the back.
The Crown called more than 20 witnesses over a week and a half, including Tanner’s girlfriend Alisha Sheepskin. She testified that she fled from Noname after he fired a gun at Tanner.
Closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. The jury is expected to be charged on Wednesday morning.
