Amen Teklay: Two teenagers found not guilty of murdering boy, 15, with sword in Glasgow

Two young people who stabbed Amen Teklay to death with a sword in Glasgow were found not guilty.

The 15-year-old boy was found seriously injured on Clarendon Street in Maryhill on the evening of March 5 last year and died at the scene.

Two young people, aged 16 and 17, were tried in the High Court in Glasgow, accused of murdering a 15-year-old boy in a sword attack.

Each had denied the murder, with the 16-year-old citing a special defense of self-defense.

On Monday, jurors found both teenagers not guilty on the second day of deliberations.

The murder charge alleged that on March 5 last year, two young boys with masks on Amen attacked Amen in Glenfarg Street and Clarendon Street and swung a frying pan, sword or similar tool at him.

Amin was said to have been struck in the body with the sword, wounding him so badly that he died.

After the 16-year-old admitted stabbing Amen, the jury was asked to decide whether he acted in self-defense or was provoked.

Jurors were also asked to consider whether the second defendant, a 17-year-old, acted in concert with the first.

In his closing statement on Friday, KC, the defense of the 17-year-old defendant, said he believed he “did nothing wrong.”

Lawyer Iain McSporran KC said the accused boy “did not even lay a finger on Amen Teklay”.

He said that on the day of the incident, Amen Teklay “went out of his way” to find the first suspect, while Amen was armed with a weapon described as an “axe” or “pirate sword”.

Mr McSporran said the 17-year-old did not take part in the violence that followed.

The trial took place before Lord Colbeck, who thanked the jurors for their service before dismissing them.

Amen’s family did not want to comment as they left court Monday.

Jamie O’Neill, a community development worker at Kingsway Community Connections, who supported Amen before his death and supported his family, agreed with them that he would read a statement outside court.

He said: “Today is an important and emotional day for Amen’s family, friends and everyone who knew him. Our thoughts are with Amen’s family.

“No court process can take away the pain of losing a child, and they remain in our minds this afternoon.

“Amin was about more than just the circumstances of his death. He was a young man who was known, valued and cared for by so many, and his loss is deeply felt not only by those closest to him, but by people in our community.

“Since Amen’s death, we have seen the best people come together to support each other during an incredibly difficult time.”

Amen was originally from Eritrea.

Mr O’Neill said: “In the coming months, Amen’s family will announce details of the foundation we will establish in Amen’s name.

“The Foundation is committed to supporting our community, with a particular focus on helping youth and young men follow positive paths and move away from the violence that affects so many young people in our country today.”

He said he hopes Amen’s legacy will be “compassion, opportunity and positive change for future generations.”