Young man accused of being part of a gang intent on murdering a rival gang-member in a ‘cashpoint cloning’ war.

 

Issue:  Whether Crown could prove participation; whether defendant required to serve Defence Case Statement

Mr Bechian was accused of being part of a murder where a rival East European gang member was beaten to death in a London ambulance in which he had taken refuge. The case against Mr Bechian was largely circumstantial and it was submitted on his behalf (he did not give evidence) that the Crown had failed to prove his guilt. This required detailed analysis of the evidence, particularly cell site material.  Unusually, it was decided that Mr Bechian would not serve a Defence Case Statement and pressure from the Court was resisted. Mr Bechian was acquitted by the jury.