Teenager Accused of Murder Claims Self-Defense
A 16-year-old boy accused of murdering 15-year-old Amen Teklay with a sword in Glasgow has told the High Court he stabbed the victim because he believed his friend was about to be attacked.
The accused, who has entered a special defence of self-defence, stated that Amen Teklay ran towards his 17-year-old friend wielding a knife. He said he shouted at Amen before stabbing him when Amen turned around, then panicked after the incident. Amen died from his injuries.
The incident occurred on 5 March 2025 in Glasgow's St George's Cross area, where the two younger boys, aged 14 and 15 at the time, are alleged to have attacked Amen before chasing and stabbing him with a sword.
Gang Feud and Background
The trial revealed that the three boys were involved in rival gangs engaged in a feud following the theft of cannabis by Amen's group from the others. The dispute involved physical violence and the display of knives, with jurors shown footage of prior incidents.
Purchase of the Weapon and Social Media Videos
The accused told the court he bought the alleged murder weapon, described as a red-bladed sword-like weapon, online for £40 in January 2025.
Brian McConnachie KC, defending the boy, questioned him about social media videos shown to the jury, in which he was seen holding the blade before the murder. The accused explained:
"I was trying to build a persona. It was ridiculous, I was 14 - I didn't know. I look back now and I was very stupid. I don't know why I did that stuff."
Events on the Night of the Incident
On the night Amen died, the accused received a phone call informing him that Amen had a knife and was seeking him and his friend. The boy said he ended up alone with the 17-year-old co-accused on Clarendon Street.
It was claimed that Amen "jumped out" from behind a parked car holding a knife. The accused said he then drew his own blade, and both he and Amen swung their weapons while circling each other. The 17-year-old was reportedly standing further back, holding a frying pan.
The court heard that Amen insulted the accused, who responded:
"It's Ramadan we don't need to do this."
The accused said Amen then noticed his friend with the frying pan behind him, and he feared his friend was about to be stabbed.
Defence counsel Iain McSporran KC, representing the 17-year-old, asked if the accused had told Amen to leave his client alone, stating he had "nothing to do with this." The boy said Amen then turned around, at which point he stabbed him with the sword.
The accused described his state following the stabbing as "panicking and scared" as Amen ran away, bleeding heavily. He said he was unaware that Amen collapsed on Clarendon Street.
He admitted to removing his blood-stained jogging bottoms and throwing them over a wall. He also later went to Kelvingrove Park, where he kicked the alleged murder weapon near a river.
The trial previously heard that the accused conducted an internet search about Amen and the incident the day after it occurred. He said:
"I knew he was badly injured. I had no idea that he died."
Evidence from the 17-Year-Old Co-Accused
The 17-year-old co-accused also gave evidence, denying any prior trouble with Amen. He said he armed himself with a frying pan because he believed Amen would not be alone and that weapons might be involved.
Regarding the moment Amen was stabbed, the 17-year-old said:
"Amen gave out a really loud scream which made me freeze on the spot for a couple of seconds and I just ran off."
The trial at the High Court in Glasgow continues before Judge Lord Colbeck.
