A 15-year-old boy who fatally stabbed a former friend with a pocket knife and subsequently admitted the act to his online girlfriend has been found guilty of manslaughter.
Pharrell Garcia, also 15, sustained a fatal stab wound to the heart on Stellman Close in Hackney, east London, on July 23, 2024.
The assailant—whose identity remains undisclosed for legal reasons—pursued Pharrell before delivering the fatal blow, as reported by jurors. He later informed the girl that the stabbing was an “accident.”
While he denied the charges of murder and manslaughter, the jury at the Old Bailey acquitted him of murder but convicted him of manslaughter.
The young man acknowledged that he had stabbed Pharrell but insisted he did so in self-defense, claiming the knife belonged to the victim and was a multi-tool pocket knife.
During the investigation, police spoke with the girl, who was dining at Nando’s with her grandmother when she received a call from the defendant regarding the incident.
She recounted that he said, “I think I just killed Pharrell,” explaining that he had accidentally stabbed him “in the heart” while intending to strike his leg instead.
The court was informed that the two boys had experienced a falling out after previously being friends. According to the girl’s testimony, it seemed both were preparing for some form of confrontation.
The defendant asserted that Pharrell had brandished a knife from his sock and advanced toward him, claiming he felt “terrified” and acted out of self-defense to protect himself.
The jury spent a total of 15 hours and 39 minutes deliberating before reaching their verdict.
Judge Philip Katz KC has since placed the defendant in custody as preparations for his sentencing on April 17 continue.
