Jurors in a murder trial have been shown CCTV of the moment prosecutors say two 'rival gangs' clashed in the street in Moston moments before a teenager was killed.
Background to the incident
Manchester Crown Court previously heard that Alexander John Soyoye, also known as John, lost his life on November 5, 2020. It came amid a feud between the Moston based 'M40' gang and the Rochdale and Oldham outfit Representing the Danger (RTD), the Crown says.
Prosecutors said hostilities spilled onto the streets of Moston. The stabbing of a relative of an M40 gang member in Piccadilly Gardens earlier that day was the catalyst for a brutal 'revenge' attack which resulted in Mr Soyoye's death hours later, jurors have heard.
The confrontation and death
The court has heard 13 RTD members headed to Moston to 'exact revenge', with the groups involved in a violent melee. Eight members of the M40 gang became overwhelmed and fled, it was said.
Mr Soyoye was injured in the earlier fight, jurors heard. He became isolated before being punched, kicked and stabbed, the court heard, suffering 15 blows to his body. Mr Soyoye died at the scene, the trial has been told.
Previous convictions
Six members of the RTD gang were previously convicted of Mr Soyoye's murder, the court heard - Francesco Raji, now 24, of Elm Road, Oldham; Christopher Semedo, now 27, of Elm Road, Oldham; Nelson Correia, now 26, of Petworth Road, Oldham; Ismiel Correia, now 24, of Cavanagh Close, Ardwick; Brent Tchipenda, now 23, of Wistaria Road, Gorton; and Octavio Antonio, now 24, of Deepdale Court, Moston.
A seventh member, Mohammed Al-Jaf, now 25, of Bradney Close, Blackley, was convicted of manslaughter, jurors were told.
The current trial
On Tuesday (July 28), Ruben Candiza, 26; Valco De-Almeida, 27; Marco Veiga, 25; and Emerson Teta, 25, went on trial accused of murder and violent disorder. They all deny the offences.
Continuing the opening of the prosecution's case on Wednesday (July 29), Andrew Haslam KC said CCTV and cell site data showed the four defendants getting trams to Moston. During the journey they were seen meeting up with the other members of the RTD gang, jurors heard.
Following an attack on Francesco Raji's brother in Piccadilly Gardens that afternoon, the court heard he messaged his girlfriend: "Wdym [sic] your trying to stop me from defending my bro and get yourself in danger... had to shout at your to keep you safe."
Jurors were told that the group congregated before boarding a tram at Newton Heath. Octavio Antonio met the group later, it was said. "They were seemingly chatting and larking around and at ease with one another," Mr Haslam added.
Detailed account of the clash
Mr Soyoye and another person were captured on CCTV walking towards Moston Lane before they were joined by three others, the court heard. "John Soyoye had hold of an item in his hand and there was a significant amount of telephone traffic which suggested he and others knew about the imminent altercation," the prosecutor added.
Shortly before 6.25pm, the group was seen walking along Sequoia Street before they approached another man, who was not linked to either of the gangs, and told him to take his face mask off, it was said.
Prosecutors said he was of a similar age, height and build to Mr Soyoye. "It is the prosecution's case that it was plain to see that the RTD were in Moston to identify members of the M40 gang and to exact revenge for the stabbing of Francesco Raji's brother," Mr Haslam said.
"CCTV footage shows the offence of violent disorder, namely the violent confrontation between eight members of the M40 gang an 13 members of the RTD. Eight members of the M40 ran up Kenyon Lane to meet the 13."
"The footage reveals that Ismiel Correia and Brent Tchipenda were the first to confront the M40 group. Tchipenda and John Soyoye were each armed with a large knife or machete, who immediately engaged with each other. Both would appear to have sustained an injury as they struck the other with their weapon."
The court heard they were followed by Mr Teta, who was armed with a large knife, and another man who has not been located. Mr Candiza and Antonio were also armed with a knife, and they were followed by Mr De-Almeida, who was armed with a baseball bat, and Semedo who had part of a car shelf, jurors heard.
Behind them were Mr Veiga who was armed with a large curved knife; Francesco Raji; Nelson Correia who had a plank of wood; and Al-Jaf who was armed with a bottle, the court was told.
Prosecutors said that knowing they were 'outgunned and outnumbered' the M40 began to retreat and move backwards. It was at this point that prosecutors allege that Mr De-Almeida struck Mr Soyoye with his baseball bat.
"John Soyoye dropped the knife he had hold of, the knife was picked up by Octavio Antonio," Mr Haslam said. "Members of the public were present during the confrontation, and as you can see, many vehicles were forced to brake or swerve."
Footage of the incident was played to the court showing the incident before the M40 group were seen to be 'chased' by the RTD to Birchenall Street. Mr Soyoye was said to be at the back of the group and had 'slowed down'.
Defendants
Mr Candiza, 26, of Appleby Walk, Royton, Oldham; Mr De-Almeida, 27, of Brierley Street, Oldham; Mr Veiga, 25, of Burnsall Grove, Royton, Oldham; and Mr Teta, 25, of Chestnut Crescent, Oldham each deny murder and violent disorder.
