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Michael Robertson says he never intended to hurt Rocky Genereaux the night he was fatally stabbed in March 2015.
The 29-year-old took the stand Tuesday at his second-degree murder trial at Saskatoon Court of Queen’s Bench.
The defence began by detailing Robertson’s long criminal history, which began in 2002 when he was a youth. Robertson testified he spent time in and out of jail and was bounced around different foster homes.
When his testimony shifted to the night of March 12, 2015, cries of “liar, liar” were shouted in the courtroom as Robertson explained his version of events leading up to Genereaux’s death.
Robertson testified Genereaux became “agitated” when he confronted him about a missing cell phone SIM card. He told court he suspected Genereaux had switched the card when he forgot the phone at Genereaux’s home a few days earlier. Robertson told court he noticed the number had changed after he retrieved the phone from Genereaux.
Robertson explained he had been using the Blackberry to sell morphine, meth and cocaine. He said he started selling drugs soon after fleeing a halfway house in Calgary.
During the confrontation in Genereaux’s bedroom, Robertson testified Genereaux pulled out a needle and said he had HIV.
Robertson said he responded by pulling a knife from his jacket and holding it out. He testified Genereaux lunged at him, and grabbed his wrist.
“I stabbed him, I didn’t think I stabbed him,” Robertson said, adding it all happened very quickly.
Earlier, court heard Robertson fled from the home after the altercation with Genereaux. During his testimony, Robertson said his instinct was to run because he knew he was wanted by police.
Under cross-examination from the Crown, Robertson repeatedly said Genereaux came at him with a potentially infected needle, and that he lunged forward with his knife in self-defence.
He explained that he didn’t bring up his account of self-defence with the police who interrogated him after his arrest because he was advised by a lawyer to remain silent.
Robertson testified that when he ran away, he didn’t know if he’d actually stabbed Genereaux or not.
The Crown closed its case after cross-examining Robertson.
The jury trial is set to continue Wednesday morning with closing arguments.
