Murder accused denies re-enacting sword attacks

Marcus Monzo denies the murder of Daniel Anjorin and the attempted murder of four others

The man accused of killing a 14-year-old boy in a series of sword attacks in east London has denied re-enacting the violence while being held at a psychiatric hospital.

Marcus Monzo, 37, denies the murder of Daniel Anjorin and the attempted murder of four others in Hainault on 30 April 2024.

During his trial at the Old Bailey, it was heard he allegedly repeated a "stabbing motion" with his arms while talking with staff at Broadmoor Hospital in west London after his arrest.

It is alleged Mr Monzo had likened events to the Hollywood film The Hunger Games. But under cross-examination, he denied being a fan of horror films, said he liked Lego movies and had not seen all of The Hunger Games movies.

Prosecutor Tom Little KC asked him: "Can you remember shortly after you were transferred to Broadmoor a member of staff indicated that they liked horror films and as a result you became animated and you started undertaking a stabbing motion with your arms?"

Mr Monzo replied: "I don't like horror movies at all. I like action movies with killing in them."

Mr Little continued: "You asked the member of staff if they liked 'killing movies'.

"Your stabbing motion is exactly what you do to at least one of the individuals on 30 April."

Mr Monzo replied: "I don't know."

The prosecutor asked: "Do you remember attacking anybody on 30 April?"

Mr Monzo replied: "I don't remember anything."

Tea and cannabis

Earlier, the defendant told jurors he believed the earth was flat and the 9/11 terrorist attack in the United States was "probably" a conspiracy.

He told jurors his views were largely formed after he visited India and started consuming hallucinogenic tea ayahuasca and cannabis.

Mr Monzo had previously told the Old Bailey he believed "the world was collapsing".

When he was asked whether he could remember attacking five people and killing Daniel, he said he could not.

He said he had strangled his cat and tried to cook and eat it because he was "receiving messages" telling him to "get rid of the cat".

Mr Monzo denies Daniel's murder and the attempted murders of Donato Iwule, Sindy Arias, Henry De Los Rios Polania and PC Yasmin Mechem-Whitfield, as well as wounding Inspector Molloy Campbell with intent.

He also denies aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article relating to a kitchen knife.

The trial continues.