Marcus Aurelio Arduini Monzo, the prime suspect in a harrowing samurai sword rampage that resulted in the tragic death of 14-year-old schoolboy Daniel Anjorin, may not face trial until February 2025 if he pleads guilty to murder.
The disturbing incident unfolded as Anjorin was walking to school when, allegedly, Monzo, a 36-year-old dual Spanish-Brazilian national residing in Newham, ran up behind him and inflicted fatal wounds to his neck and chest. This assault was part of a series of five separate attacks over a span of 20 minutes in Hainault on April 30, during which Monzo is accused of injuring four other individuals, including two police officers.
Appearing at the Old Bailey for a preliminary hearing before Judge Mark Lucraft KC on Tuesday (May 7), Monzo, clad in a grey tracksuit, confirmed his identity and date of birth while standing in the dock. Judge Lucraft outlined a timetable for the case, scheduling a plea hearing on July 23 and provisionally setting a three-week trial at the Old Bailey to commence from February 3 next year. Monzo was remanded in custody pending further proceedings.
The details of the horrific attack were laid bare in court, with prosecutor Tom Little KC describing how Anjorin was “largely decapitated” during the assault, leading to his untimely death. Further revelations from a post-mortem examination indicated the cause of death as “sharp force trauma to the head.
According to witnesses, the morning of April 30 saw Monzo allegedly crashing a van into a fence, subsequently attacking Anjorin from behind before turning on police officers who arrived at the scene to intervene. Monzo’s alleged spree of violence culminated in an invasion of a nearby residence, where he purportedly assaulted the occupants before being subdued and arrested by law enforcement.
Monzo faces a slew of charges, including Daniel’s murder, attempted murder, aggravated burglary, and possession of a bladed article.
The devastated parents of Daniel Anjorin released a statement expressing their profound grief over the loss of their beloved son and thanking the community for its support during this challenging time. A vigil held in memory of Daniel drew more than 300 mourners, reflecting the widespread impact of the tragic incident.
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