Lawyer for Brett Wiese's accused killer asks for lesser charge

The lawyer for a young woman accused of killing a University of Calgary student says his client should not be found guilty of first-degree murder.

Brett Wiese, 20,bled to death in January 2013 after being stabbed ata northwest house party.

Two people have been charged: 20-year-oldMitchell Harkes and a young woman who cannot be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act because she was 17 at the time of the incident.

She admitted to stabbing someone after being kicked out of a party but her lawyer has asked the judge to consider a manslaughter conviction instead, arguing she did not plan the attack.

• Teen accused in Brett Wiese death says she 'didn't mean it'

While manslaughter carries no minimum sentence, a first-degreemurder conviction for a young offender sentenced as an adult would bring a life sentence with minimum parole eligibility set at 10 years.

The prosecution will make its closing arguments Thursday. Ithas applied to have her sentenced as an adult if convicted.