Two teenagers are to stand trial charged with the murder of a 15-year-old boy in Glasgow.
The pair – aged 16 and 15 – are accused of attacking Amen Teklay in the St George’s Cross area on March 5 this year.
Prosecutors claim the boys – who cannot be identified due to their age – brandished a sword and a frying pan at Amen while both masked.
It is said that the teenager, who lived in the city with his father, but was originally from Eritrea, was chased.
The charge states that he was struck with the sword and left so severely hurt that he passed away on Clarendon Street.
The 15-year-old accused then faces an accusation of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.
It is claimed he dumped the tracksuit bottoms he had been wearing in a garden in St George’s Cross.
He also allegedly got rid of a bloodstained top at a close in Charing Cross and disposed of the sword.
The indictment states this was all done in a bid to avoid “detection, arrest and prosecution” for the alleged murder.
The killing is said to have occurred after earlier incidents involving the 15-year-old and Amen.
Prosecutors allege the teenager teamed up with two other named boys to attack Amen on Great Western Road on February 12.
The charge includes claims that he was repeatedly punched and kicked in the head and body.
A further accusation states the 15-year-old was “threatening and abusive” to Amen three days before the alleged murder by brandishing a sword and metal barrier at the youngster, as well as shouting and swearing at him.
The case called for a hearing at the High Court in Glasgow.
Brian McConnachie KC, defending the 15-year-old, and the older boy’s KC, Iain McSporran, both pleaded not guilty on their behalf.
Mr McConnachie stated that his client has lodged a special defence of self-defence for the murder charge.
The advocate was asked by Judge Lord Scott about an Osman threat to life warning which was not divulged further.
Mr McConnachie replied: “There is a significant amount of background here as seen on the terms of the indictment.
“You will see that various charges don’t take place on the same day and is over a period of time.
“There is a significant background between my client and the deceased about a variety of matters.”
Iain McSporran KC, defending the 16-year-old, stated that there was a “greater background” between Amen and the other boy.
Both the defence lawyers and prosecutor Adrian Stalker agreed that a trial could be set.
Lord Scott fixed a date of June 2026. A judge will be allocated to the trial at a later date.
A memorial service was held for Amen in Glasgow’s Kinning Park Parish Church following his death.
He was described as “bright” and “kind”.
Plans were made for Amen’s body to be flown to Ethiopia, where a full funeral was to take place.
A GoFundMe crowdfunder had been set up to raise money for the teenager’s family, with a £10,000 target having been set.
Follow STV News on WhatsApp
Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
