A young St. John’s man has been committed to stand trial for second-degree murder in the stabbing death of another man early last year.

The incident played out in the Rabbittown area of the city on Feb. 7, 2023.

Police responded to the area of Newtown Road and Mayor Avenue following a report of a man who had sustained serious injuries and was in distress.

They arrived to find 22-year-old Seamus Secord fighting for his life outside his home. He was rushed to hospital but died a short time afterward.

Ten days later, 21-year-old Robert Belbin was arrested and charged with second-degree murder.

The details of what allegedly transpired before the killing were spelled out for a judge during the preliminary inquiry and remain banned from publication.

But after hearing and seeing it all for himself, Judge James Walsh ruled this morning there is enough evidence to warrant a murder trial.

The next step will be formal arraignment in Supreme Court.

It’s alleged Belbin committed the murder while he was on a release order linked to a string of shootings and firearms offences in the metro area over the past couple of years.

He remains in custody at HMP awaiting two separate trials on those charges, as well as arraignment for murder.