Trial begins for 2nd person accused in 2018 murder of rapper ‘Smoke Dawg’

The second person accused in the 2018 murder of rapper "Smoke Dawg" is set to begin trial, with the accused being a 24-year-old man who was 16 years old at the time of the incident. The trial, presided over by Superior Court Justice Michael Dineen, has commenced.

The accused, whose identity is protected under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was arrested in Airdrie, Alberta on January 27, 2025. Initially, he was arrested for speeding and illegal window tint, but later charges were brought against him for the murders of Smart and Modekwe, as well as the aggravated assault of an innocent bystander.

The prosecution is seeking convictions for second-degree murder, despite the indictment stating first-degree murder. The man is also charged with attempting to murder the bystander who was shot in the leg. There will be no witnesses during the trial, as it has been reduced to an agreed statement of facts and a video compilation.

The accused, sitting in the prisoner's box, pleaded not guilty when the charges were read. His defense lawyer, Gary Grill, acknowledged that the evidence is "condensed but complex" and stated that the youth was "at least guilty of aggravated assault." Grill argued that the Crown and defense would begin closing submissions immediately after the video compilation.

The agreed statement of facts outlines that on June 30, 2018, Handule and the youth attended Cube nightclub, where both were denied entry. They remained outside the club, where Handule and the teen contacted a regular driver to pick them up for a trip to Brampton. During the journey, the teen was involved in a heated argument with Handule, which was captured on video.

Following the argument, Handule fired several rounds from a .380-calibre handgun, killing Smart, while the teen discharged his .45-calibre handgun, killing Modekwe.