Two teenagers have been found not guilty of murdering a 15-year-old boy who died after being struck by a sword in Glasgow. Amen Teklay was discovered with serious injuries on Clarendon Street on the evening of March 5 last year and died at the scene.
Trial at the High Court
The two accused, aged 16 and 17, stood trial at the High Court in Glasgow charged with murdering Amen Teklay in a sword attack. Both denied the murder charge, with the 16-year-old lodging a special defence of self-defence. After deliberations, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
The Incident and Charges
The murder charge alleged that the two teenagers, with their faces masked, assaulted Amen while brandishing a frying pan and a sword or similar instrument at Glenfarg Street and Clarendon Street on March 5 last year. It claimed that Amen was struck on the body with the sword, causing fatal injuries.
The 16-year-old admitted to stabbing Amen, and the jury was asked to determine whether he acted in self-defence or under provocation. The second accused, aged 17, was considered on the basis of acting in concert with the first.
Defence Arguments
Iain McSporran KC, representing the 17-year-old, argued that his client “did not lay a finger on Amen Teklay” and believed “he had done nothing wrong.” The trial was presided over by Lord Colbeck.
