Balin Stewart death: Teen accused of stabbing murder pulled knife during fight over girl, court hears

A series of provocative messages, including a video, led to a deadly encounter over a girl outside the Sunshine Coast house of teen Balin Stewart, a court has heard, as the teen charged with his murder stands trial.

A teenage boy accused of stabbing another teen in the heart during a brawl over a girl allegedly told police “it’s me, I did it” when they arrived at the crime scene, a court has heard.

Sixteen-year-old private school student Balin Stewart died on January 20, 2022 after he was allegedly stabbed by a 17-year-old boy outside his Sunshine Coast home.

The now 18-year-old pleaded not guilty to a charge of murder on the first day of his trial in the Brisbane Supreme Court on Monday.

Crown Prosecutor Rebecca Marks said during the trial, the court would hear much of the animosity stemmed from their mutual relationships with a girl.

It will be alleged that on the night of the stabbing, the girl and Balin sent the defendant videos of themselves “cuddling” on Balin’s bed to “provoke him”.

“She’ll tell you of course how they didn’t realise what the outcome would be,” Ms Marks said.

Balin Stewart, 16, who was allegedly stabbed to death outside his Buddina home on January 20. Picture: Supplied

Ms Marks said in response to the video, the defendant asked Balin if he wanted to fight.

She said the girl would give evidence that Balin took her phone and responded “yeah I’ll fight you, just don’t bring anyone over, like don’t be a dog”.

“She’ll tell you though how Balin was saying it in a kind of joking way, they didn’t think (the defendant) was being real and they never thought in a million years he’d actually show up,” Ms Marks said.

The court heard soon after, the defendant sent a message saying “come out”.

“They went outside because they didn’t think he’d really be there and then they discovered he was out the front,” Ms Marks said.

“When they initially came out, she’ll tell you how Balin said ‘what the f*** are you doing at my house, leave my house right now’.

“And how when Balin said this, the boys were getting closer and closer to each other just arguing.”

Ms Marks said the jury would hear the defendant allegedly punched Balin in the head and they wrestled to the ground.

Balin Stewart’s parents Michael and Kerri-Lyn outside Brisbane’s Supreme Court. Photo Steve Pohlner

She said the boys were fighting on the ground as the girl tried to intervene and eventually they separated, standing on opposite sides of the road.

Ms Marks said the girl and the defendant then had a conversation.

“She recalled during this time that (the defendant) kept saying … ‘why are you doing this to me, I love you so much, why are you doing this to me’,” the prosecutor said.

“As she was talking to him she saw he had a knife in his hands and he was saying, ‘I’m going to f***ing kill him, I’m going to kill him’.

“She didn’t realise he had a knife until he was threatening to kill Balin,” Ms Marks told the court.

Ms Marks said the girl would give evidence that the defendant then said something “to provoke Balin” who walked over and asked “what are you saying to me” or “what did you say to me”.

The pair then began fighting again.

Balin Stewart, in trademark white T-shirt, holding the sun.

“She will tell you they weren’t saying anything, she was the only one who kept yelling out ‘stop, please stop’,” Ms Marks said.

She said it was then the girl allegedly saw Balin get stabbed and fall to the ground.

Ms Marks said the girl would give evidence she ran to the house and bashed on Balin’s parents’ window, screaming for them to come outside while the defendant himself called Triple 0.

“(The girl) was pushing and yelling at him saying what did you do, what did you do, you stabbed him and (the defendant) was saying how he didn’t mean it and he was sorry,” she said.

It’s alleged when Balin’s father emerged from the house and asked “what did you do”, the defendant said he was sorry and raised his arms above his head, the court heard.

“As Michael Stewart approached (the defendant), he said things like “don’t hurt me”, and “I’m sorry”, and “what have I done”,” Ms Mark said.

The prosecutor said when police arrived and asked “where is he, who did it”, the defendant allegedly said “it’s me, I did it”.

The trial continues before Justice Elizabeth Wilson.