Four women will testify they were abused by murder victim Frank Tonge when they were children, defence lawyer David Lutz told a Saint John courtroom Thursday.

Lutz, who is representing the 16-year-old girl accused of killing 78-year-old Tonge in his Damascas home last June, told the jury he was approached by two women after his client was arrested.

The women said they had been abused by Tonge years ago, Lutz said.

Two other women have since come forward, saying they too were abused.

The alleged sexual misconduct took place when the now middle aged women were between the ages of six and 11, Lutz said.

The accused, who cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, told police she stabbed Tonge in the neck because she was tired of being fondled by him.

The girl, who was 15 at the time, said she was dependant on marijuana and Tonge would give her the drug in exchange for kissing, hugging and fondling her.

She had filed a complaint against Tonge two years before, alleging sexual touching, but no charges were laid and the relationship continued, the court heard.

Lutz said Tonge is dead because he was attempting to rape "his last little girl."

Tonge was attempting to pull the accused toward the bedroom when she stabbed him, Lutz said.

The trial continues Friday and is scheduled to last until the middle of next week.