A judge will rule next week whether there’s enough evidence to send Brandon Noftall to trial for the murder of his stepfather.

The week-long preliminary inquiry wrapped up in provincial court this week, with family and friends on both sides filling the courtroom to COVID capacity. Evidence presented there is banned from publication.

Noftall is charged with second-degree murder in the death of 41-year-old Robert Noftall in the southern shore community of Renews on December 18 of last year.

He also faces charges of assault and three counts of breaching court orders, one of which was supposed to prevent him from carrying a knife.

Judge David Orr will rule on Monday whether the Crown has made its case to send the matter to trial in Supreme Court.

26-year-old Noftall is also facing additional charges of assault with a weapon, assault and uttering threats in connection with a separate incident a year earlier in November 2019.

He remains in custody at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary.