A Calgary murder trial began Monday with shocking allegations that a man angry about being rejected by his ex-girlfriend took his rage out on another man, stabbing him 48 times with two different knives.
Jealous rage leads to fatal attack
In his opening address before a Calgary Court of King's Bench jury, Crown prosecutor James Thomas described how Dennis George Hart allegedly attacked Sean Barber in the victim's Bowness home on September 12, 2023. The prosecution suggested Hart's anger stemmed from being spurned by his ex-girlfriend, Carley Hunter.
The case is not a whodunnit, Thomas told jurors, noting that when police arrived at Barber's 41st Avenue N.W. residence, they found Hart sitting on the couch next to the fatally wounded victim.
Chilling crime scene details
The first responding officer discovered a gruesome scene. Sean Barber's body was laid out on the love seat with a large pool of blood on the floor beneath and around him, while Dennis Hart sat nearby on the couch.
Thomas told the jury that the violent incident began with a dispute between Hart's ex-girlfriend, Carley Hunter, and her then-boyfriend, Jeff Popson. The couple had been arguing at a convenience store near Barber's home when Hunter walked to Barber's residence.
Text message reveals killer's mindset
After the stabbing, Hart allegedly sent several text messages and attempted voice calls in his continued search for Hunter. Among the most chilling messages sent as Barber was dying was: "Your buddy is bleeding out. Where's Carley?"
The Crown prosecutor said the evidence will show that Hart had the intent for murder at the time of the attack. "The Crown's theory is Mr. Hart knew exactly what he was doing. He knew the awful consequences of stabbing Mr. Barber over and over again dozens of times," Thomas told jurors.
Hart is charged with second-degree murder in Barber's death. The prosecution alleges the attack was motivated by Hart's desire to punish Barber for his involvement with Hunter and to compel others to bring his ex-girlfriend to him.
