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The family of Michael Jonas, a 17-year-old who was brutally stabbed to death in Betts Park, Penge, have expressed their outrage at the lack of remorse shown by his killers. Michael, who was lured to the park on November 2, 2017, was fatally attacked in a chillingly brief assault that lasted no more than two minutes.
After an excruciating six-year wait for justice, six men were finally found guilty of Michael’s murder in November 2023. However, throughout the trial, none of the defendants showed any signs of remorse or provided a justification for their actions.
Michael’s father, Michael Jonas Senior, spoke of the harrowing impact the loss of his son has had on his family. Listening to the details in court about how my son was brutally killed will stay with me for the rest of my days,” he said. He recounted the heart-wrenching moment when he received the devastating news of his son’s death while on a bus, describing it as a sentence of death for himself.
The road to justice was fraught with challenges. Initially, the case was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) in the early months of the investigation, only to be reinstated in October 2022. The family faced years of uncertainty and anguish, unsure if they would ever see Michael’s killers brought to justice.
Expressing gratitude to a courageous witness who came forward, Mr. Jonas underscored the community’s effort to seek justice for his son. It has been six years since Michael was murdered, and for some years I never thought I would get justice for my son,” he said.
Michael’s mother and sister also shared the profound impact of his loss. Recalling the moment she learned of her son’s death, Michael’s mother described passing out in disbelief. She expressed the indescribable pain of losing her son and the void left in their lives.
Michael’s sister lamented the irreplaceable loss of her older brother, expressing the profound impact his absence has had on her life.
As the defendants await sentencing at the Old Bailey, the family of Michael Jonas hopes for justice to be served. The convicted individuals are Nyron Jean Baptiste, Divon Henry-Campbell, Jason Smith, Jamie Marshall, Ryan Girense Brown, and Sarraviho Smith.
The court is expected to deliver sentencing in the coming weeks, bringing a semblance of closure to Michael’s grieving family and the community at large.
