Teenager Allegedly Confessed to Murder of Amen Teklay
A teenager accused of murdering 15-year-old Amen Teklay reportedly confessed to stabbing him through the heart, according to evidence presented at trial.
Prosecutors state that the 16-year-old defendant and a 17-year-old co-accused assaulted Amen in the St George's Cross area of Glasgow on 5 March last year. The two are alleged to have chased Amen and fatally stabbed him with a sword on Clarendon Street in Glasgow.
A 16-year-old witness provided a statement to police alleging the confession but told the court through recorded evidence that he could not recall being told that Amen had been stabbed in the chest and through the back.
The same youth was initially arrested for the murder and gave a police interview that was shown to the jury at the High Court in Glasgow.
"I asked him and he told me. He confessed to it," the youth said, recalling a conversation with the 16-year-old accused at school about the incident.
The witness's recorded court evidence was played during the trial. He stated that the accused knew Amen was in the area before his death.
Amen had allegedly asked another youth where the 16-year-old accused and the witness were located.
When questioned by prosecutor Adrian Stalker about being told where on Amen's body the stabbing occurred, the witness said he could not remember.
The 16-year-old on trial has lodged a special defence of self-defence.
Details of the Night of the Incident
The youth who gave evidence had played football with the two accused boys at the Firhill Complex in Maryhill on the night Amen died, before going home.
He told officers he received a phone call later that night from another boy in their group, who informed him that the 16-year-old accused had stabbed Amen.
The witness then spoke to the accused about the incident at school.
"He said he got stabbed in the chest out of his back. When he took it out, all the blood went on his face and his eyelashes," the youth told Detective Constable Michelle McLeod.
When asked how he felt hearing this, the youth replied:
"I was shocked, I was sad, I knew what the consequences would be with him doing that."
Claims of Drug Theft
Brian McConnachie KC, defending the 16-year-old, questioned the youth about his first meeting with Amen.
The witness stated that Amen had stolen drugs from him and the accused, which they were selling at Kelvinhall subway station.
Jurors previously viewed footage of an attack on Amen in February 2025, which allegedly involved the 16-year-old accused and the youth giving evidence.
The youth claimed that a person wearing clothing similar to Amen's attempted to attack him with a weapon while he was walking to school the following day.
Jurors also saw footage of youths with weapons outside the Lismore bar in Partick, reportedly involving Amen and the 16-year-old accused.
When asked if Amen had the same weapon as the person outside the school, the witness confirmed he did.
Evidence from Father of Accused
The father of the younger accused also gave evidence.
He said his son returned home hurriedly and appeared frightened on the night of the killing.
"The colour in his face was quite pale. He said: 'Mum and Dad, I love you' and he ran away," the father recounted.
The father later learned of a death and spoke to his son, who stated that no one had died.
The boy allegedly told family members while waiting for officers:
"Do not worry if I go to prison. Do not get upset."
The trial, before Judge Lord Colbeck, is ongoing.
