8th February, 2025
A 16-year-old boy has been found guilty of manslaughter after fatally stabbing his former school friend, 15-year-old Pharell Garcia, in a park in east London.
The verdict was delivered at the Old Bailey on Friday, 7 February, after a trial in which the jury deliberated for over 15 hours.
The teenager, who was 15 at the time of the incident and cannot be named for legal reasons, was found not guilty of murder.
The court heard that the defendant stabbed Pharell in the heart, pursued him as he attempted to flee, and then left the scene without offering help.
He later disposed of the weapon. While he admitted to the stabbing, he claimed it was in self-defence—an assertion rejected by the jury.
Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen, who led the investigation, described the case as a heartbreaking example of youth violence.
“Our thoughts remain with Pharell’s family and friends, who have endured the pain of reliving his final moments during the trial,” Allen said.
“The defendant had choices—he could have walked away or dropped the weapon. Instead, he made the fatal decision to use it, then chased Pharell until he collapsed, fleeing instead of helping his former friend,” Allen added.
The investigation uncovered evidence that the defendant had a troubling fascination with knives, including 43 images and videos on his phone showing him handling blades just days before the attack.
Police were called to Stellman Close, Hackney, at around 16:05 on Tuesday, 23 July, following reports of a stabbing. Despite the efforts of officers and paramedics, Pharell was pronounced dead at the scene.
It emerged that the two teenagers, once friends, had arranged to meet at the park following a dispute. The defendant had told a mutual friend he intended to confront Pharell.
According to Met Police, following the attack, he initially evaded authorities, staying at a family friend’s house before being arrested early the next morning.
A thorough investigation, including CCTV analysis, led to his conviction. Footage showed him entering the park, pulling up his hood, approaching Pharell, and later discarding the weapon. Forensic analysis confirmed the knife bore DNA from both the defendant and Pharell.
Messages on the defendant’s phone revealed his attempts to distance himself from the crime, including asking his mother to remove certain items from their home and expressing a desire to leave for Portugal.
Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway, who oversees policing in Hackney and Tower Hamlets, highlighted the wider impact of knife crime.
“Pharell’s death is not just a tragic loss for his loved ones but a painful reminder of the dangers our young people face,” Conway said. “While violent crime has declined in Hackney, cases like this show the urgent need to steer young people away from carrying weapons.”
The teenager is due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 17 April.
