Friend of slain Halifax yoga teacher says victim broke up with accused

A childhood friend of Kristin Johnston's testified that hours before shedied Johnston broke up with her boyfriend after he unexpectedly showed up to a gathering where they were.

Nicholas Jordan Butcher, 35, is charged with second-degree murder in the March 2016 death ofJohnston, a 32-year-old Halifax yoga teacher. He has pleaded not guilty.

LisaAbramowicz, a childhood friend of Johnston's who lived in Halifax at the time of her friend's death, testifiedJohnston told her she needed to end her relationship with Butcher and planned to move to British Columbia at the end of the summer.

Abramowicztold the court she met up with Johnstonthe night before she died, at around11 p.m.at Lion and Bright on Halifax'sAgricola Street. She said she and Johnston were both a bit "buzzed" but not drunk.

The juryheard that when Butcher showed up at agathering at an apartment later in the evening,Johnston said to Butcher, "What are you doing here?" Abromowicz saidButcher was only in the apartment for "a few seconds" before she led himout of the apartment.

Friend says Johnston broke up with Butcher

Abromowicz saidwhen Johnston returned to the apartment, she said "I ended it."

Abromowicz saidJohnston appeared relieved.

Three friends of Johnston testified on Thursday that she intended to break up with Butcher in the days and weeks leading up to her death on March 26, 2016.

More of Johnston's friends testified on Friday that she intended the break up with Butcher.

Abramowiczsaid she knew Butcher was a Dalhousie law graduate who was struggling to get a legal articling job and that he was working as a driving instructor.

Crown attorney Tanya Carter has told the jury the medical examiner found Johnston died of 10 sharp-force wounds to her neck. Shewas found dead in her Purcells Cove-area home.

The Crown expects to call some 40 witnesses in a case that has been scheduled to run for 20 days.

The CBC's Blair Rhodes live bloggedfrom court. Those on mobile can read today's developmentshere.