THE trial of a teenager accused of killing British Cypriot Michael Antony Louis Mina, 22, in Larnaca last year, started yesterday with the submission of the murder weapon into evidence.
Police also submitted the 17-year-old’s statement in which he admitted to the crime, committed outside the victim’s apartment building in the Makenzie area, in the early hours of November 16.
The focus of the trial would be whether the crime was premeditated.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to premeditated murder, claiming he had been acting in self-defence.
His defence says he had been under the influence of drugs when it happened.
A toxicology test conducted immediately after his arrest found traces of amphetamine, methamphetamine, cocaine, cannabis, and two powerful sedatives, in his bloodstream.
The two had argued over the fact that the teenager had been dating the victim’s ex girlfriend.
He claimed that Mina had arranged a meeting so they could settle their differences.
Cyprus Mail