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Boy, 15, not guilty of murdering carjacker | |
(about 4 hours later) | |
A boy has been cleared of murdering a teenager who was staging a "vicious" carjacking attempt against him. | A boy has been cleared of murdering a teenager who was staging a "vicious" carjacking attempt against him. |
The 15-year-old was also found not guilty of the manslaughter of James Laurie, 17, who was fatally stabbed in the chest in Southampton, in January. | The 15-year-old was also found not guilty of the manslaughter of James Laurie, 17, who was fatally stabbed in the chest in Southampton, in January. |
Winchester Crown Court was told he had acted in self-defence against carjacker Mr Laurie. | |
The defendant, who cannot be named, of Andover, Hampshire, earlier admitted possessing a knife in a public place. | The defendant, who cannot be named, of Andover, Hampshire, earlier admitted possessing a knife in a public place. |
The court heard Mr Laurie was stabbed in Lindsay Road, at about 06:00 GMT on 19 January. | The court heard Mr Laurie was stabbed in Lindsay Road, at about 06:00 GMT on 19 January. |
James Newton-Price QC, defending, said three young males, including Mr Laurie, were on an overnight "spree of taking drugs and offending" when they targeted a car in which the defendant was a passenger. | James Newton-Price QC, defending, said three young males, including Mr Laurie, were on an overnight "spree of taking drugs and offending" when they targeted a car in which the defendant was a passenger. |
The teenage driver of the targeted car, who knew Mr Laurie, said he behaved like a "psychopath" and put his hands around her neck, Mr Newton-Price said. | The teenage driver of the targeted car, who knew Mr Laurie, said he behaved like a "psychopath" and put his hands around her neck, Mr Newton-Price said. |
The defendant, got out of the car and pulled out the sheath knife, the jury was told. | |
"His intention was not to stab but to fend off, deter, if he could," the barrister added. | "His intention was not to stab but to fend off, deter, if he could," the barrister added. |
Mr Newton-Price said the fatal wound, penetrating to a depth of 5cm (two inches), could have been influenced by the "jittery" movements of Mr Laurie, who had taken an "exceptionally high" amount of the drug MDMA. | Mr Newton-Price said the fatal wound, penetrating to a depth of 5cm (two inches), could have been influenced by the "jittery" movements of Mr Laurie, who had taken an "exceptionally high" amount of the drug MDMA. |
Mr Laurie was found by paramedics at a nearby address and died later in hospital. | |
'Miss your cheeky smile' | 'Miss your cheeky smile' |
Following the stabbing, police arrested four people and seized weapons after being granted extra stop and search powers in the area. | Following the stabbing, police arrested four people and seized weapons after being granted extra stop and search powers in the area. |
Hampshire Constabulary said it had been concerned about a potential outbreak of violence between two groups. | Hampshire Constabulary said it had been concerned about a potential outbreak of violence between two groups. |
Previously the family of Mr Laurie, from Montague Avenue, said: "We will miss you and your cheeky smile forever. You were full of life." | Previously the family of Mr Laurie, from Montague Avenue, said: "We will miss you and your cheeky smile forever. You were full of life." |
Speaking after the verdicts Det Insp Lee McClellan said the force "respects the jury's decision". | |
"This was a tragic incident that led to the loss of a young life. | |
"This case highlights the dangers that come with carrying knives and the devastation these senseless acts cause, not only to those involved but also to their friends and families." | |
A Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) spokesman said prosecutors had "worked incredibly hard to put evidence before a jury". | |
The defendant will be sentenced at a later date for the knife offence he admitted. |
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