The court heard that Chad Robinson died from a stab wound to the chest as the Crown began presenting its case in the second-degree murder trial of Miguel Chacon-Perez.
In his opening address Tuesday morning, Crown Attorney Adam Campbell told the court that Robinson was stabbed after an alcohol-fuelled argument.
"His death should never have happened," Campbell said.
The 27-year-old died outside the Imperio Banquet Hall in east London in the early hours of December 18, 2016.
Const. Brandon Bolger was the first witness called and he says when he arrived at the facility on Falcon Street he found a male on the ground with vital signs absent.
"I initiated CPR...I pulled up his shirt and noticed a laceration to his chest."
Seven people were taken into custody from the Christmas party and 29-year-old Chacon-Perez was eventually charged with second-degree murder. He has pleaded not guilty.
Det. Const. Richard Terri later testified that when he arrived at the scene he found blood stains outside the washroom area of the banquet hall.
The Crown is expected to call 18 civilian witnesses and about 10 officers during the three-week trial.
The defence attorney has indicated that the accused will also testify.
Richard Posner told the jury Chacon-Perez will explain why he took the knife involved from a friend and discarded it.
"He will tell you why he so foolishly took the knife from him...and how that came to pass."
The jury has heard the victim's blood was on the blade of the knife while the accused's blood was on the handle.
