The trial of two teenagers accused in the fatal stabbing of 15-year-old Amen Teklay in Glasgow entered its closing stages this week as the defense and prosecution delivered their final arguments at the High Court. The court heard the case surrounding the March 5, 2025, incident during which Amen, originally from Eritrea and living in Glasgow with his father, was chased and attacked in the St George’s Cross area before dying from injuries inflicted with a sword.

The defense lawyer for the 17-year-old second accused, Iain McSporran KC, urged the jury to focus on the evidence rather than sympathy, stressing that a guilty verdict could not undo the death of Amen. McSporran highlighted that his client was not involved in any ongoing feud, gang activity, or drug dealing and denied any participation in the violence. He emphasized that the 17-year-old had cooperated with police and that the prosecution had not presented direct evidence to prove his client struck Amen. McSporran also noted that on the day of the attack, Amen allegedly sought out the first accused and was reportedly carrying a weapon described variously as a cutlass or pirate sword. According to the defense, the 17-year-old did not engage in the subsequent violence.

The prosecution maintained that the 16-year-old first accused had caused Amen’s death, challenging the claim of self-defense lodged by that defendant. Prosecutor Adrian Stalker told the jury that the accused admitted to killing Amen but denied that it was an act of self-protection. Stalker described the attack as a "murderous assault," linking it to an escalating feud between the two boys leading up to the fatal incident. He pointed to evidence including footage from February 2025 showing Amen being subjected to a "frenzied sustained assault" by the 16-year-old and two other youths not on trial. Stalker contended that any suggestion Amen posed a lethal threat was speculative.

The charges against the teenagers, who cannot be named due to their ages, allege that both were masked and armed with a sword and frying pan during the assault. Evidence presented contends that Amen was chased and fatally wounded on Clarendon Street.

Following closing speeches, Judge Lord Colbeck sent the 15-member jury to begin deliberations on Thursday. The jury is expected to resume their discussions next week to consider the evidence and determine the verdict in this case.