Martial artist Marcus Monzo attacked Daniel Anjorin from behind as he walked to school wearing headphones – then terrorised five others in 20-minute bloodbath
A deranged swordsman who nearly decapitated a 14-year-old schoolboy in a terrifying 20-minute rampage through east London has been found guilty of murder.
Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, butchered Daniel Anjorin as the teenager walked to school in Hainault on April 30 last year – after first skinning and deboning his pet cat named Wizard.
The Spanish-Brazilian martial artist was today convicted at the Old Bailey of murdering Daniel and attacking five others with samurai swords he’d bought online, claiming they were for “display purposes.”
Jurors heard the cannabis-smoking killer had filmed himself unboxing one of the deadly weapons just weeks before the attack, calling it “freaking sexy” as he lunged at the camera.
Dawn of terror
The court was shown harrowing CCTV footage from that horrific morning, with audible screams captured as Monzo ploughed his grey Ford Transit van at speed into pedestrian Donato Iwule.
I thought I was dying,” Mr Iwule told jurors, describing how blood poured from his neck after Monzo struck him with the sword.
Witnesses said the attacker was running around “like a maniac” with the blade, with one saying he “looked a bit mad, like there was nothing there – his eyes were black.”
Schoolboy’s final moments
Young Daniel had left home around 7am wearing headphones and his school sports clothes, completely unaware of the danger approaching from behind.
Prosecutor Tom Little KC told the jury the teenager suffered “a near-decapitation” when Monzo attacked him with the weapon, leaving him with unsurvivable injuries.
The brave youngster, described as a “true scholar” by his devastated school, never stood a chance against the sword-wielding maniac.
Hero cop’s desperate fight
PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield courageously chased the armed attacker through alleyways before Monzo turned on her, striking her three times with the 60cm blade using “extreme force.”
The officer, who nearly lost her hand in the attack, later told colleagues through tears: “Don’t let me die here.
Inspector Moloy Campbell was also struck with the sword as officers desperately tried to corner the rampaging killer.
Family’s narrow escape
In a scene of pure terror, Monzo entered a nearby house through the back door and walked upstairs to where couple Sindy Arias and Henry De Los Rios Polania were sleeping.
“Do you believe in God?” he demanded, wielding the bloodied sword.
Mr Little said their lives were only spared because their four-year-old daughter, sleeping nearby, woke up and started crying – causing Monzo to flee.
‘Professional assassin’
Dramatic doorbell footage captured the moment armed officers finally brought Monzo down, shouting: “Don’t move, don’t f****** move” as three taser discharges finally stopped him.
In custody, the killer bizarrely told police he had “many personalities,” including a “professional assassin,” and compared his murderous rampage to The Hunger Games films.
Crocodile tears in court
Monzo wept while giving evidence, claiming he had no memory of the attacks and didn’t intend to harm anybody.
He admitted smoking cannabis “three or four times a week” before the rampage and had previously used psychedelic drugs, but denied being high on the day.
The jury heard he likely suffered from a psychotic disorder with “schizophrenic-like symptoms,” including “delusional beliefs” that he and his family were in “mortal danger.”
But prosecutor Tom Little said his psychotic state was self-induced through drug use and didn’t meet the threshold for diminished responsibility.
Guilty verdicts
Monzo, from Newham in east London, had already admitted two charges of possessing offensive weapons – the samurai swords he used in his killing spree.
He denied murder, four counts of attempted murder, wounding with intent, aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article.
But today the Old Bailey jury found him guilty of Daniel’s murder and all charges except one – he was cleared of the attempted murder of one victim but convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent instead.
Family’s agony
Daniel’s parents previously said they were “devastated by the loss of our beloved son,” adding: “It is difficult for us to process what has happened to him and that he will never come home.
The youngster’s school, Bancroft’s in Woodford Green, said Daniel was a “core member of our community” whose “positive nature and gentle character will leave a lasting impact.
Arsenal fan Daniel’s death sparked an outpouring of grief, with 300 people attending a vigil at Hainault tube station and tributes paid at Emirates Stadium.
The monster who took his life now faces a mandatory life sentence when he returns to court for sentencing.
