Jurors at the High Court in Glasgow will return next week after failing to reach a verdict on Friday in the trial of two teenagers accused of killing 15-year-old Amen Teklay. The case — involving claims of a sword attack in Maryhill last March — has significant legal and community implications as the court moves toward a final decision.
Deliberations paused until Monday
The jury began considering the evidence on Friday, July 3, but by mid‑afternoon had not agreed on a verdict and were discharged to resume on Monday morning, July 6. The two defendants, aged 16 and 17, are legally unnamed because of their ages.
Prosecutors say Amen was discovered gravely injured on Clarendon Street in Maryhill on the evening of March 5 last year and died at the scene. The charge alleges the teenagers — their faces covered — attacked him with a frying pan and a sword or similar bladed weapon on Clarendon and Glenfarg streets.
Central legal issues for jurors
At the heart of the case are two linked questions for the jury:
- Did the actions of the first accused amount to murder, or was he acting in self‑defence?
- If the first accused is found guilty, did the second accused act together with him as part of a common purpose?
The 16‑year‑old defendant accepts he stabbed Amen but says he did so to defend himself; that claim is being tested against the prosecution’s account that the pair chased and struck the teenager. The 17‑year‑old denies the murder charge and disputes any joint enterprise.
What defence counsel told jurors
Iain McSporran KC, speaking for the older teenager, told jurors his client cooperated fully with police and had consistently maintained he bore no guilt. He argued there is insufficient evidence to prove the 17‑year‑old participated in any coordinated attack, and rejected suggestions his client was involved in gang activity or drug dealing.
Mr McSporran also told the court that, in his view, Amen had sought out the first accused on the night in question and had been armed with a weapon described in evidence as a “cutlass” or “pirate sword.” He urged jurors not to let sympathy influence their decision: a verdict cannot undo the family’s loss, he said, but must be based on the evidence alone.
Judge’s direction and next steps
Lord Colbeck instructed jurors to review the case carefully and reminded them that their role is to determine whether the facts support a murder conviction. He set out the legal tests they must apply, including the criteria for acquittal if self‑defence is accepted, and the inquiry into whether the second defendant acted in concert.
The jury will reconvene Monday. How long they will need to reach a conclusion is unclear; the court will announce any further timetable if deliberations continue beyond the next sitting.
Key facts at a glance
- Victim: Amen Teklay, 15
- Incident: Found seriously injured, Clarendon Street, Maryhill — evening of 5 March (last year)
- Defendants: Two teenagers, aged 16 and 17 (anonymity restrictions apply)
- Allegations: Masked assault involving a frying pan and a sword/cutlass; fatal stabbing
- Defences: First accused claims self‑defence; second accused denies involvement and disputes common purpose
- Next step: Jury to resume deliberations on Monday, 6 July
The case has drawn local attention because of the youth of those involved and the violent circumstances alleged. Court reporting will continue as the jury returns and any verdict is delivered.
Hi, I’m Benjamin, a member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a passion for writing and a deep interest in current affairs, I thoroughly enjoy bringing you the latest news and trends that affect our daily lives.
