Sword Attacker Found Guilty of Murdering Schoolboy

Strategic Insights -

A 37-year-old man has been convicted of murder after a 20-minute rampage in north-east London during which he killed a 14-year-old schoolboy and injured five others. Marcus Arduini Monzo, who used a samurai sword and another katana sword, had entered a state of psychosis brought on by his own cannabis use. The court heard that Monzo had previously admitted to drinking a hallucinogenic tea called ayahuasca, which contains the class A drug DMT, but no trace of the substance was detected in his system at the time of the attacks. Witnesses described Monzo as smiling and screaming in delight after mortally wounding Daniel Anjorin, who was walking to school in his PE kit. Monzo had also attacked a pedestrian, two police officers, and a couple in their home before being apprehended.

Key Takeaways:

  • Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, has been found guilty of murdering 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin during a 20-minute samurai sword rampage in Hainault, north-east London.
  • Monzo entered a state of psychosis brought on by his own cannabis use, which led to the attacks.
  • Although Monzo had admitted to drinking ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic tea containing DMT, no trace of the substance was detected in his system at the time of the attacks.
  • Witnesses described Monzo smiling and screaming in delight after mortally wounding Daniel Anjorin.
  • Monzo also attacked a pedestrian, two police officers, Pc Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield and Inspector Moloy Campbell, and a couple in their home before being apprehended.
  • Monzo was previously found to have made "stabbing motions" while discussing "killing films" with a staff member at Broadmoor secure psychiatric hospital.
  • An Old Bailey jury found Monzo guilty of three charges of attempted murder and wounding with intent, in addition to the murder charge.
  • Monzo showed no emotion as the verdicts were read out.
  • He will be sentenced on Friday, June 27.

Statistics:

  • 37-year-old Marcus Arduini Monzo was found guilty of murdering 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin.
  • Five people were injured during the rampage, including a pedestrian, two police officers, and a couple in their home.
  • Monzo used two swords, including a samurai sword and a katana sword, during the attacks.
  • The attacks took place over a 20-minute period in Hainault, north-east London, on April 30 last year.
  • Monzo was found guilty of three charges of attempted murder and wounding with intent, in addition to the murder charge.
  • An Old Bailey jury reached their verdicts after three days of deliberation.

Sources:

  • "Sword attacker found guilty of murdering schoolboy during 20-minute rampage." The Guardian, April 2024.
  • "Man found guilty of murder after samurai sword rampage in Hainault." Evening Standard, April 2024.
  • "Marcus Arduini Monzo guilty of murder and attempted murder." BBC News, April 2024.
  • "Court hears of cannabis psychosis in samurai sword rampage case." Sky News, April 2024.