A teenage boy, whose identity remains confidential for legal reasons, has pleaded not guilty to murder, asserting he acted in self-defence after allegedly fatally stabbing his stepfather on September 7, 2022. Following the trial, Justice Frances Williams cleared the teenager, allowing him to leave the court, resulting in audible relief from family members present in the gallery.
During the proceedings, it was revealed that the boy, then 16, felt threatened and believed his stepfather intended to kill him. Tensions escalated during a conversation where the stepfather insulted the boy, calling him “weak” and a “pussy”. In an attempt to de-escalate the situation, the teenager left the room to use the bathroom.
Unfortunately, this did not alleviate the conflict. Upon his return, a physical confrontation ensued, during which the stepfather allegedly grabbed the boy by the collar. In a bid to free himself from what he described as a “bear hug,” the boy took a 23-centimetre knife from his pocket and lunged at his stepfather, resulting in the fatal wound.