THUNDER BAY — A Toronto man accused of murder described his own actions leading up to the stabbing of Steven Burns as “ridiculous” and “stupid” under cross-examination on Thursday.
Khalid Mohamed, 28, is charged with second-degree murder in the death of Burns, 36.
Burns was the victim of an alleged stabbing on Oct. 17, 2021 in the 200 block of Park Avenue.
Mohamed testified in chief on Wednesday at the Thunder Bay Courthouse about his drug dealing operations in Thunder Bay in the fall of 2021 and how he was robbed by Burns and two other individuals.
His testimony continued Thursday during cross-examination by Crown lawyer Robert Kozak who further questioned Mohamed on his statement that he didn’t carry a weapon because he felt he didn’t need to.
“I’m pretty much taking advantage of the umbrella thought that someone coming from Toronto selling drugs has a weapon on them,” Mohamed said.
He also told the court how he followed a “program” when selling drugs in Thunder Bay; it was a system told to him by the individual who supplied Mohamed with drugs. Part of that program was to give up any drugs and money if Mohamed was robbed; he wanted to keep a low profile.
When asked why he didn’t follow that plan when he was robbed by Burns and the other two men, Mohamed said theory and practice are two different things.
Mohamed said when he was initially attacked inside the apartment he was selling drugs in, he saw Burns and one of the other men carrying knives. He didn’t see the weapon the third person had but could feel being struck by a blunt object.
Once the three men had the drugs and money from Mohamed’s pocket, they started to leave the apartment. Mohamed said that’s when he grabbed onto one of them men who wasn’t Burns and he was further assaulted.
Kozak asked Mohamed what his intent was grabbing the man and Mohamed said he had no intent.
“In hindsight, it’s ridiculous. It makes no sense,” he said.
That’s when the individuals noticed the jewellery Mohamed was wearing and took it from him.
Mohamed had earlier told the court when he arrived in Thunder Bay, he would change into non-brand name clothes to blend in more with the people he was selling the drugs to; he hid the chains under his shirts but the watch could still be seen on his wrist.
“I was 25 and stupid and enticed by the allure of quick money,” said Mohamed.
“I threw myself into the belly of the beast three times,” he said. “And it makes no sense.”
Mohamed said those three moments where he put himself in a life-threatening situation were when he grabbed the one individual as they were leaving the apartment, when he followed Burns and when he later grabbed Burns.
“In all three situations I’m putting my head in the lion’s mouth,” said Mohamed.
“By the choice you’re making?” asked Kozak.
“Yes,” said Mohamed.
When describing the struggle outside on the street between himself and Burns, Mohamed said he was doing his best to make sure Burns didn’t get the knife because “once he gets the knife in his hands, in my mind I’m dead.”
Mohamed told the court he didn’t think he’d wounded Burns as he saw him get up as Mohamed was running away.
“It wasn’t an accidental stabbing?” asked Kozak.
“It wasn’t an accidental stabbing,” said Mohamed. “I meant to stab him to get him to let go of me. I did not intend to kill him. I intended to honestly defend myself . . . to keep the knife out of his hands so I could get out of the situation.”
None of the allegations against the accused have been proven in court.
