'Nick was my friend, I would never try to stab him': Accused takes the stand in Guelph murder trial

Crown drops charge against Angus Kee Angus Kee is no longer facing a manslaughter charge in Nick Tanti's death. CTV's Stephanie Villella has the latest from the trial.

One of the two brothers charged in relation to the death of Nick Tanti is taking the stand in his own defense; the other has had one of his charges dropped.

Aidan Kee is on trial for second-degree murder, while his younger brother Angus Kee was facing manslaughter and accessory after the fact charges.

On Monday, the Crown announced the manslaughter charge against Angus is being dropped, saying there is no possibility of conviction on that count. Angus remains on trial for accessory after the fact.

The Crown wrapped up its case last Thursday, after a week and a half of calling witnesses. Now, Aidan is taking the stand to testify, as his defense begins to make its case.

On Monday, Aidan Kee recounted the events leading up to Tanti’s death on Feb. 29, 2020, after a fight outside a Guelph bar on Macdonell St., characterizing what happened as an accident.

Aidan told court he and Angus were walking home when Tanti appeared behind them.

Aidan said Tanti was yelling at him about an earlier situation.

He said Tanti pushed and punched him, causing him to fall and his eye to bleed.

“I saw an object in his hand, I didn’t know what it was, but I was bleeding, so I thought he hit me with the object,” Aidan testified.

Court heard Tanti walked away and went into a bar as Aidan remained outside.

Aidan told court he wanted Tanti to come back outside so they could chat and “shake hands.”

“I saw Nick come walking towards the door and he still looked pretty angry. And I started to panic a little,” Aidan said.

Aidan testified that he pulled out his knife with the blade closed.

“If he didn’t have a weapon, I had no intention of using the knife,” he told the jury. “I wanted to make sure the blade was closed.”

Aidan testified he slipped and fell on one knee and grabbed Tanti’s shirt. He said Tanti then walked away. Aidan testified that is when he saw his knife on the ground, with the blade opened.

Holding back tears, Aidan told court he never intentionally opened the knife blade, saying, “Nick was my friend, I would never try to stab him.”

During the cross examination, the Crown argued Aidan wanted “to make even” after he was surprisingly attacked by Tanti.

“In the moment you were so mad at Mr. Tanti, you wanted payback” the Crown said.

“No, not at all,” Aidan replied.

“You stabbed him in the chest. You probably just meant to hurt him, but you actually killed him,” the Crown said.

The trial continues Tuesday.