Key Points:
- Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, is on trial for the murder of 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin during a 20-minute violent spree on 30 April 2023 in Hainault, east London.
- As reported by Anthony France of The Standard, body-cam footage shows Monzo slashing at police with a samurai sword before being Tasered.
- He allegedly began the rampage by driving into pedestrian Donato Iwule with a Ford Transit van, before attacking him with a sword.
- Monzo is accused of then fatally stabbing Daniel Anjorin and attacking multiple others, including two police officers and a couple in their home.
- Inspector Moloy Campbell described to the Old Bailey how Monzo slashed at him with a sword, injuring his thumb and body-worn camera.
- Witnesses reported Monzo screaming in delight after stabbing the boy, and comparing himself to a “professional assassin”.
- Monzo’s brother testified that Marcus had consumed ayahuasca in the Amazon, meditated for 20 hours a day, and began behaving erratically.
- The defence is arguing diminished responsibility, though Monzo admits to carrying out the attacks.
- He denies murder, four counts of attempted murder, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article.
Body-cam footage shows police slashed by sword-wielding attacker after fatal stabbing of schoolboy
As reported by Anthony France of The Standard, dramatic police footage was shown to jurors at the Old Bailey capturing the moment Marcus Arduini Monzo slashed at officers with a samurai sword after fatally stabbing 14-year-old Daniel Anjorin in Hainault, east London on 30 April 2023.
Monzo, 37, is accused of murdering the schoolboy and injuring several others in a violent rampage that lasted approximately 20 minutes. The court heard Monzo launched the attack by ploughing a Ford Transit van into Donato Iwule, who was sent flying into a garden before Monzo struck him with a sword.
Monzo is said to have then run through the residential neighbourhood armed with the weapon, slashing at random victims and terrifying bystanders. Daniel Anjorin, wearing his PE kit and headphones, was allegedly virtually decapitated during the attack.
What happened during the Hainault rampage?
How did the violence begin?
According to Anthony France (The Standard), the court was told Monzo started the spree by driving into Donato Iwule, launching him into a garden after smashing into a fence and concrete post. He then attacked Mr Iwule with the sword, striking him in the neck before fleeing on foot.
Who was Daniel Anjorin and how did he die?
The court heard that Daniel Anjorin, a 14-year-old schoolboy, was walking to school in his sports uniform when Monzo attacked him. As per forensic evidence from Dr Ashley Fegan-Earl, Daniel’s injuries were “absolutely unsurvivable”. He died from sharp force trauma to the head, with Monzo allegedly using “an extreme level of force”.
What did witnesses report?
A witness, Maria Olmos, recounted Monzo’s behaviour after attacking Iwule. As read in court, she described Monzo falling to his knees, screaming loudly in what appeared to be “a scream of delight”. She said: “His eyes and mouth were wide open when he screamed.”
How did Monzo interact with police?
What did body-cam footage show?
Footage presented to the jury showed Monzo swinging his sword at police officers as they attempted to subdue him. He struck an ambulance and then turned on an officer who was helping Daniel on the ground, before being Tasered.
What did Inspector Moloy Campbell testify?
Inspector Moloy Campbell, from the Metropolitan Police, testified that he was injured trying to arrest Monzo. As reported by Anthony France (The Standard), he said: “I decided to confront the defendant. I sprayed him first, but he blocked the move and came for me.”
He continued: “I dropped my spray and drew my baton. I believe I connected with him at least twice. Mr Monzo was slashing at me with a large sword. He made contact with my hand and certainly with my body-worn camera.”
When asked about his emotions, Campbell replied: “It was frightening. I remember my priority to try to carry on.” He noticed blood on his hand and requested a tourniquet for his thumb before being treated on scene and taken to hospital.
What injuries did other officers sustain?
PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield pursued Monzo through alleyways and was struck three times with the sword. Prosecutors said she sustained severe injuries to her hand and arm, described as “horrifically serious”.
Were other civilians targeted?
What happened inside the family home?
Monzo reportedly entered a private home during the attack, where he injured a man sleeping upstairs with his partner and young daughter nearby. Prosecutors allege the man was defending his family when Monzo struck.
What was said about Monzo’s mental state?
What did Monzo’s brother testify?
Eduardo Monzo, testifying through a Portuguese interpreter, told the jury that his brother had consumed ayahuasca – a hallucinogenic brew – during a retreat in the Amazon. He explained that Marcus began acting unusually, spending up to 20 hours per day meditating, refusing physical contact, and avoiding family, especially their mother.
Eduardo stated: “He wasn’t the Marcus I knew. He kept his door closed. He later said the spiritual guru he followed, Sadhguru, was ‘a demon who put a spell on him’.”
Monzo had also attended spiritual retreats in India and the Amazon. He claimed to have an “alternative personality” and likened his actions to the Hollywood film The Hunger Games.
Was any substance detected in his system?
Although Monzo claimed to have consumed ayahuasca, no traces of DMT (a hallucinogenic compound found in the drink) were detected in his system after arrest.
What is Monzo charged with?
Marcus Arduini Monzo denies:
- Murdering Daniel Anjorin
- Attempted murder of Donato Iwule, Sindy Arias, Henry De Los Rios Polania, and PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield
- Wounding Inspector Moloy Campbell with intent
- Aggravated burglary
- Possession of a bladed article
He previously admitted two counts of possessing offensive weapons – namely two swords.
What is the defence’s argument?
While the prosecution argues that Monzo was fully responsible for his actions, the defence claims he is not criminally responsible due to diminished responsibility. As Anthony France of The Standard reports, expert witnesses are expected to testify on Monzo’s mental state at the time of the attacks.
