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Woolwich murder accused told police Lee Rigby was fair target, court hears Woolwich murder accused told police Lee Rigby was fair target, court hears
(35 minutes later)
Michael Adebolajo told police he struck Lee Rigby and attempted to remove his head because he believed the soldier was a fair target, a jury has heard.Michael Adebolajo told police he struck Lee Rigby and attempted to remove his head because he believed the soldier was a fair target, a jury has heard.
Adebolajo, 28, told detectives in an interview heard by jurors on Thursday that Rigby was "the non-Muslim version of myself" and that he was killed in a humane way.Adebolajo, 28, told detectives in an interview heard by jurors on Thursday that Rigby was "the non-Muslim version of myself" and that he was killed in a humane way.
"We exited the vehicle and I am not sure how I struck the first blow … the most humane way to kill any creature is to cut the jugular … he may be my enemy but he is a man … so I struck at the neck and attempted to remove his head," said Adebolajo in the interview played at the Old Bailey."We exited the vehicle and I am not sure how I struck the first blow … the most humane way to kill any creature is to cut the jugular … he may be my enemy but he is a man … so I struck at the neck and attempted to remove his head," said Adebolajo in the interview played at the Old Bailey.
Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, 22, deny murdering Rigby as the soldier walked to his military barracks in Woolwich, south London, on 22 May. They also deny conspiracy to murder a police officer and attempted murder of a police officer.Adebolajo and Michael Adebowale, 22, deny murdering Rigby as the soldier walked to his military barracks in Woolwich, south London, on 22 May. They also deny conspiracy to murder a police officer and attempted murder of a police officer.
In a 45-minute police interview played to jurors, Adebolajo described how on the day of the attack he had "set out determined that this way we will obey the command of Allah".In a 45-minute police interview played to jurors, Adebolajo described how on the day of the attack he had "set out determined that this way we will obey the command of Allah".
He decided that Rigby was "the most fair target because he joins the army with kind of an understanding that your life is at risk," the jury heard. He decided that Rigby was "the most fair target because he joins the army with kind of an understanding that your life is at risk", the jury heard.
Adebolajo told detectives that he and Adebolawe sat in wait and "it just so happened that he was the solider that was spotted first". Adebolajo told detectives that he and Adebolawe sat in wait and "it just so happened that he was the soldier that was spotted first".
"It was almost as if Allah had chosen him … when I thought about obeying Allah in the past I thought maybe it is possible to kill a man by driving into him," Adebolajo was heard to say."It was almost as if Allah had chosen him … when I thought about obeying Allah in the past I thought maybe it is possible to kill a man by driving into him," Adebolajo was heard to say.
In the video-recorded interview, Adebolajo said that neither he nor Adebowale – whom he referred to as "my brother Ismael" – hated Rigby or his family and that it was not a vendetta against them.In the video-recorded interview, Adebolajo said that neither he nor Adebowale – whom he referred to as "my brother Ismael" – hated Rigby or his family and that it was not a vendetta against them.
He continued: "When he [Rigby] crossed the road in front of me … it was almost as if I was not in control of myself. I accelerated, I hit him and I think I also crashed into a signpost … we wished to fulfil our promise to Allah, we did not wish to give him much pain. He continued: "When he [Rigby] crossed the road in front of me … it was almost as if I was not in control of myself. I accelerated, I hit him and I think I also crashed into a signpost … we wished to fulfil our promise to Allah, we did not wish to give him much pain."
"I could see he was still alive … we exited the vehicle and I am not sure how I struck the first blow … the most humane way to kill any creature is to cut the jugular … he may be my enemy but he is a man … so I struck at the neck and attempted to remove his head." Rigby's mother, Lyn, cried as she listened to the interview, positioned to the right of the dock where Adebolajo and Adebowale were sitting with a sheet of brown paper blocking the family's view of the defendants.
In the interview, Adebolajo complained about two police officers who had interviewed him earlier, describing them as "disgusting and despicable".
After a long pause, he went on: "Lee Rigby. I see him like the non-Muslim version of myself and my brother Ismael. He is a man who is willing to give his life and travel the globe to fight for his country."
The interview with Detective Constable Bhatt and Detective Sergeant Thompson was the fourth to take place on 1 June, 10 days after Rigby was killed. Jurors had earlier watched Adebolajo walk out of two previous interviews, telling the detectives he had no patience with them.The interview with Detective Constable Bhatt and Detective Sergeant Thompson was the fourth to take place on 1 June, 10 days after Rigby was killed. Jurors had earlier watched Adebolajo walk out of two previous interviews, telling the detectives he had no patience with them.
Adebolajo appeared in the interviews with a light-blue cell blanket draped over his head, lowering it around his shoulders only as he stood up to leave the room.Adebolajo appeared in the interviews with a light-blue cell blanket draped over his head, lowering it around his shoulders only as he stood up to leave the room.
The jury heard on Wednesday that the defendant had earlier been passed fit to be interviewed by doctors and a psychiatrist, who described Adebolajo as mentally stable and of showing no remorse or regret.The jury heard on Wednesday that the defendant had earlier been passed fit to be interviewed by doctors and a psychiatrist, who described Adebolajo as mentally stable and of showing no remorse or regret.
The trial has heard previously how the two men hacked repeatedly at Rigby's body, almost severing his head, after mowing him down in a Vauxhall Tigra.The trial has heard previously how the two men hacked repeatedly at Rigby's body, almost severing his head, after mowing him down in a Vauxhall Tigra.
The trial continues.The trial continues.
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