Manslaughter plea ends Antigonish murder trial

A Dartmouth, N.S., man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, ending a murder trial in Antigonish.

Robert Harris Lamb admitted the lesser charge Monday in the midst of his trial over the stabbing death of Jonathan Beaton on New Years Day, in 2010.

Beaton died after attending a violent party in Antigonish. Last week the trial heard from multiple witnesses who tied Lamb to the fatal stabbing.

Darlene Oko, a Crown prosecutor in the case, said Lamb did not tell the court why he changed his plea.

"It wasn't something that was discussed on the record in open court," she said.

"Certainly the family were advised ahead of time as to the change of plea. They were aware of it before Mr. Lamb entered his plea into the court. The jury was advised at the same time as the plea was entered."

The change in plea came just before DNA experts were set to take the stand this week.

"Mr. Lamb, in the kitchen of that house, stabbed Jonathan Beaton, who we believed to be attempting to break up the fighting in the house. He stabbed Mr. Beaton twice in the stomach which ultimately resulted in his death," said Oko.

Lamb will be sentenced on Friday.