Jurejs Vankovs, 39 of no fixed address was found guilty of the manslaughter of 49-year-old Michael Murphy following the conclusion of a trial at Wood Green Crown Court on Wednesday, 17 July.
He will be sentenced at the same court on a date yet to be confirmed.
Members of the public rush to assist but Vankovs’ attack had damaged an artery in Michael’s leg. Paramedics arrived but despite their efforts, Michael died at the scene.
[block_2]Detectives launched an investigation which included compiling CCTV of Vankovs’ movements as he fled the scene.
Vankovs, who lived a transient lifestyle around the Hackney area, went to ground and specialist officers launched a manhunt to find him. He was located and arrested on New Year’s Day. Despite refusing to answer any questions put to him by detectives, Vankovs was charged with Michael’s murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen who led the investigation said: “Michael’s life was taken away in a matter of seconds as a result of completely unnecessary violence by Jurejs Vankovs.
“Whatever the trigger was for this fatal attack, the level of aggression used by Vankovs was completely disproportionate to the threat he faced.
“With Michael lying defenceless on the ground, Vankovs had a choice of how to conclude their altercation – he chose to stab him, causing Michael an injury that he could not survive.
“This choice has left Michael’s family, and those who knew him, completely devastated and he must now face up to the consequences of his actions.”
