A man charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of an Ottawa teen is testifying in his own defence this week after a failed attempt to get his manslaughter charge dropped.

Abdulhamid Wehbe is charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 16-year-old Yazdan Ghiasi in December of 2010, when prosecutors allege a group including Wehbe never intended to pay for a purchase of six and a half pounds of marijuana.

Wehbe’s lawyer said Wednesday because the 22-year-old wasn’t in the car at the time of the shooting, the manslaughter charge should be thrown out.

Yazdan Ghiasi, 16, was killed from a gunshot wound to the chest in December 2010. (Facebook)

He also said his client was completely surprised the drug deal would involve fatal force.

But Ontario Superior Court Judge Hugh Fraser rejected the claims and he said the trial must continue.

"The evidence suggests Abdulhamid Wehbe knew of the plot," Fraser said.

Wehbe denies knowledge of slaying

When Wehbe took the stand in his own defence a short time later, he continued to deny knowing of any plans to rob Ghiasi.

"I didn't know what was going on," he said. "After reading the newspaper (later), I realized someone had died. My life just spiraled out of control."

Wehbe, who is out on bail and living with his grandparents, does not have a previous criminal record and he is currently a second-year law student at Carleton University.

His trial is expected to continue for most of the week.