Trial Begins for Teenagers Accused of Amen Teklay's Murder
Two teenagers have appeared in court accused of murdering 15-year-old Amen Teklay in Glasgow.
The defendants, now aged 16 and 17, are alleged to have attacked Amen Teklay in the St George's Cross area of Glasgow on 5 March 2025.
Prosecutors state that the two boys, who remain unnamed due to their ages, were masked and brandished a sword and a frying pan during the incident.
It is claimed that they chased Amen Teklay and struck him with a sword, inflicting injuries so severe that he died on Clarendon Street.
Amen Teklay lived in Glasgow with his father but was originally from Eritrea.
Background Incidents and Allegations
The killing is said to have followed earlier confrontations involving the 16-year-old defendant and Amen Teklay.
Prosecutors allege that on 12 February 2025, the 16-year-old, together with two other named boys, attacked Amen on Great Western Road in Glasgow.
The charge includes claims that Amen was repeatedly punched and kicked on the head and body during this earlier assault.
Additionally, it is alleged that three days before the alleged murder, the 16-year-old was "threatening and abusive" towards Amen by brandishing a sword and a metal barrier, as well as shouting and swearing at him.
Allegations of Evidence Disposal
The 16-year-old defendant also faces an allegation of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
It is claimed that he disposed of clothing he had been wearing during the incident, including dumping tracksuit bottoms in a garden in St George's Cross and discarding a bloodstained top at a close in the Charing Cross area of the city.
Furthermore, he is said to have disposed of the sword used in the attack.
The indictment states these actions were taken to avoid "detection, arrest and prosecution" for the alleged murder.
Defence and Court Proceedings
The trial commenced with the reading of the 16-year-old's special defence of self-defence regarding the murder charge.
"The 16-year-old was attacked by Amen Teklay who was armed with a bladed weapon and in defence of his co-accused who was under attack from Amen Teklay."
During Judge Lord Colbeck's opening remarks to the jury, proceedings were briefly interrupted by a fire alarm.
The trial is expected to continue until July 2025.
