Court sets trial of Anjorin’s killer for February

The Central Criminal Court, London, a.k.a. Old Bailey, yesterday, set February 3, 2025 for trial of Marcus Monzo Arduini, the man charged with last week’s horrific sword murder of Daniel Anjorin in Hainaut, North East London.

Judge Lucraft KC stated this during the hearing, in which the bearded Brazilian-Spaniard suspect looked subdued, but anxious in the dock in his grey round neck long sleeve jumper on a jogging bottom of the same colour.

Charged under his full name, Marcus Monzo Arduini, he was sandwiched between three court security men during the brief hearing that lasted about 15 minutes.He took occasional glances to the left , right and also had his hand over his mouth.

Asked to confirm his date of birth, the suspect seemed hesitant but said “your date of birth is April 11, 1988.” The prosecution then went ahead in tabling the case and listed the seven charges for which he had been hauled into courtroom 5.

According to the Crown, Arduini’s 20 minutes of sword rampage in the early hours of April 30, saw him attack the 14-year-old Bancroft Schoolboy from the back as he walked to school that morning.

“None of those who were attacked by the defendant knew him beforehand,” the prosecutor said. The court heard that there was a “sharp trauma to the head of Daniel”, which together with the attack on the chest, resulted in the teenager’s death.

Though Arduini’s defence counsel, who appeared via video link – raised no objection that he should not be granted bail, Judge Lucraft KC, said he wouldn’t even consider the issue of bail for two reasons.

“Firstly, because if granted bail, he will commit further offences and also because of his own safety.” Lucraft said if he’s the one to sit over the trial, “the earliest date is 3rd of February 3, 2025” as there are pending cases.

Besides, the Judge shared the Crown’s position that the trial will be for about three weeks. Before adjourning, Lucraft addressed the accused, saying: “Mr Monzo, your next appearance in this court is July 23 for a plea and case preparation hearing.

“By then, the trial date will be confirmed and the court would have also probably received the outcome of the mental health assessment of the 36-year old,” the judge said.

The judge noted further that as is the practice, the defendant doesn’t need to be physically in court in July, adding that he can attend by video link from custody.