Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : A jury in Saskatoon has reached a verdict in the trial of Afrah Abdi, finding her guilty of second-degree murder in the shooting death of Logan Nayneecassum on August 21, 2020. The incident occurred at Aria Food and Spirits, a popular bar located in Saskatoon’s Rosewood neighborhood. Nayneecassum tragically lost his life after being shot in the leg.
The trial, which took place at the Court of King’s Bench before Justice Mona Dovell, commenced on December 4. During the proceedings, prosecutor Michael Pilon presented the testimony of 11 witnesses, while defense lawyer Leo Adler chose not to call Abdi to testify.
The bar’s security cameras captured the fatal shooting, and the identity of the shooter, who was known by the nickname ‘Tax’ to both staff and customers, became the central issue of the trial. Justice Dovell emphasized the importance of establishing the shooter’s identity in her instructions to the jury.
Over the course of the trial, the jurors spent two days reviewing extensive video footage of the events leading up to the shooting. The footage depicted a group of men and women socializing, drinking, and engaging in friendly gestures such as fist bumps and high fives. However, tensions escalated when a group of five First Nations men entered the bar, resulting in a confrontation with ‘Tax.’ Shortly thereafter, Nayneecassum was shot in the leg, causing severe damage to major blood vessels, according to pathologist Shaun Ladham’s testimony.
Following the shooting, Abdi became the subject of a Canada-wide arrest warrant. However, it wasn’t until he illegally crossed into the United States in early 2021 that he was apprehended. Abdi’s arrest came after a high-speed chase that began near the border and ended in Whitefish, Montana. Ultimately, he was extradited back to Canada to face trial.
With the conviction of second-degree murder, Abdi faces an automatic life sentence with no possibility of parole for at least 10 years. The defense intends to appeal the conviction, although the specific grounds for the appeal were not disclosed by Adler.
The case has attracted significant attention due to the tragic nature of Nayneecassum’s death and the pursuit and capture of Abdi across international borders. The community eagerly awaits the upcoming court date on January 26, where lawyers will argue for the parole eligibility period.