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Daniel Anjorin: Man guilty of murdering schoolboy in Hainault | Daniel Anjorin: Man guilty of murdering schoolboy in Hainault |
(32 minutes later) | |
The court was shown footage of Marcus Monzo unboxing a sword he had bought online | |
A man has been found guilty of murdering 14-year-old schoolboy Daniel Anjorin with a samurai sword in Hainault last year. | A man has been found guilty of murdering 14-year-old schoolboy Daniel Anjorin with a samurai sword in Hainault last year. |
Marcus Monzo, 37, has also been found guilty of three counts of attempted murder, wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. | Marcus Monzo, 37, has also been found guilty of three counts of attempted murder, wounding with intent and possession of an offensive weapon. |
He gave no reaction in court as the verdicts were read out and the judge said he would face a life term when he returns to court for sentencing on Friday. | |
Daniel's father, who was in court to hear the verdict, did not react as Monzo was found guilty of murdering his son. | |
Monzo was cleared of one count of attempted murder but found guilty of the lesser offence of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. | |
The attacks took place within just 20 minutes in the morning on 30 April 2024. | |
Witnesses described the former Amazon delivery driver screaming "in delight" and smiling after fatally wounding Daniel, who had been walking to school in his PE kit. | Witnesses described the former Amazon delivery driver screaming "in delight" and smiling after fatally wounding Daniel, who had been walking to school in his PE kit. |
As well as killing Daniel, Monzo, who had a blue belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu, also attacked a pedestrian, two police officers and a couple in their own home before he was arrested by police. | |
Daniel Anjorin was walking to school with headphones on when he was approached from behind by Monzo | |
Monzo had gone into a cannabis-induced psychosis before the attack, and had killed and skinned his pet cat before heading to Hainault, north-east London. | |
Afterwards, Monzo likened events to the Hollywood film The Hunger Games and claimed to have an alternative persona of a "professional assassin". | |
Giving evidence at his trial, he said he had no memory of what happened and claimed his mental state had diminished his responsibility for the crimes. | |
However, the prosecution argued that psychosis brought on by self-induced intoxication was no defence for murder. | |
A compilation of CCTV and body-worn camera footage of the attack as it unfolded | |
Monzo, a dual Spanish-Brazilian national, who was living in Newham, east London, had liked posts on X that praised Nazi leader Adolf Hitler. | |
Over a year, Monzo's X account also liked references to various antisemitic conspiracy theories and misogynistic Incel material. | |
At his Old Bailey trial, Monzo had told jurors he believed the world was flat and that the 9/11 terrorist attack in New York was "probably" a conspiracy theory. | |
In a reference to another conspiracy, Monzo posted: "I live in London. Here everybody will agree that the city is GREY. And the reason is BECAUSE they spray the sky ALL DAY, EVERY DAY." | |
Speaking outside the court, Ch Supt Stuart Bell from the Met Police said: "First in our thoughts is Daniel Anjorin - a talented, gentle, bright young man. | |
"A much-loved son and brother, brutally murdered simply walking to school at what should have been the start of a normal day at the start of a promising life. | |
"There are no words, really, to express how sorry we are for [the Anjorin family's] loss or how much admiration we have for your courage and dignity. | |
"It is hard to comprehend the unimaginable pain that you must have suffered in the last year. | |
"I can only hope today's verdict brings some semblance of justice and relief, and you are now able to grieve in some peace. | |
"Our thoughts remain with all those who have been impacted by this terrible incident." | |
'Horrific circumstances' | |
Kirsty O'Connor, from the Crown Prosecution Service, CPS, said their "hearts go out" to Daniel Anjorin's family and friends who have suffered "his unimaginable loss in horrific circumstances". | |
"Our thoughts remain with all of the victims who continue to recover from their injuries and trauma," she said. | |
She also paid tribute to the police officers and emergency workers who put their own personal safety at risk in the line of duty. | |
"The courage shown undoubtedly prevented further loss of life. | |
"We all owe them a debt of gratitude." | |
Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk | Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk |