Date set for verdict in Larnaca murder case

By Constantinos Psillides

The Larnaca criminal court will issue a verdict on the murder of British Cypriot Michael Antony Louis Mina on July 3, judge Nicolaos Santis said on Wednesday.

A 17-year-old from Larnaca has already admitted to the crime, but denied that the murder was premeditated.

The 17-year-old claims that he was under the influence of a variety of narcotic substances when he committed the crime.

The 17-year-old is on trial for stabbing Mina, 22, outside the victim’s apartment in the Makenzie area, in the early hours of November 16, 2014.

The two had argued because the teenager had been dating the victim’s ex girlfriend.

The 17-year-old said he had been acting in self defence. He claimed that Mina had arranged a meeting so they could settle their differences.

He alleged that the victim had also pulled a knife on him but it was never found.

Following his admission the defendant led police to the murder weapon, a 12cm military knife.

The 17-year-old’s lawyer had presented the court with a toxicology test conducted immediately after his client’s arrest. The test showed that the suspect had traces of amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis, and two powerful sedatives in his bloodstream.

The case sparked criticism against the state for lacking the proper mechanisms to deal with delinquent teenagers.

The 17-year-old had been implicated in around 60 cases, some including car theft, and had already spent two months in jail.

His family had pleaded with police and the courts to keep him in custody but he was released because of his age.

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