Teen challenged over contact with murder suspect

Defence advocate also raises questions about filming of fights

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A warning that this story contains information which some readers may find distressing.

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A teenager who witnessed a stabbing has been challenged over whether he encouraged the person accused of murder to leave his home for the fatal fight.

The witness, who can’t be named, gave evidence at Douglas Courthouse today (2 October).

It follows the death of 14-year-old Christopher McBurnie on 29 May last year.

A 15-year-old boy, from Ramsey, is currently standing trial accused of his murder; he can’t be named for legal reasons.

‘Forgotten’

Yesterday (1 October) the jury watched a Video Recorded Interview conducted with the witness, on 29 May, at Police Headquarters.

The 14-year-old gave his account, hours after the death of Christopher, of the lead up to the incident which happened outside the defendant’s home.

The witness told police he’d received a message, via Snapchat, whilst he was at school that day telling him that a fight would be taking place.

On his way home he said he received a call from a friend telling him to go to the area where the defendant lived.

"I’d completely forgotten about it because I didn’t think it was going to happen," the teenager told the officer.

You can find out more HERE.

Cross examination

In cross-examination today (2 October) the defendant’s advocate, Siobhan Grey KC, questioned the witness about when he’d become aware of the fight.

She pointed out to the teenager that he’d been part of a group chat - which included the defendant and Christopher - which had been discussing the fight the previous night.

Jurors have already been shown a selection of messages from the group chat, and individual conversations, which took place on 28 May and into the early hours of the following day.

You can find out more HERE.

She asked about his interpretation of messages which the defendant had sent describing Christopher as a ‘verbalist’ and ‘keyboard warrior’.

In one the defendant had written: “None of you will do f**k all.”

Ms Grey also pointed out that the witness had made two video calls to the defendant just before 3.20pm on 28 May; both were answered.

“That was you trying to get him to go to a lane in Ramsey,” she put to him.

“That’s not ringing a bell,” the witness replied.

“You were calling X (the defendant) and trying to get him to come out the house weren’t you?” she pushed.

“I just answered your question,” the teenager replied.

A follow-up message, from the witness to the defendant at 3.23pm, read ‘outside’ to which the defendant replied ‘bet’.

“Are you telling X (the defendant) you’re outside his house with the others?” the advocate asked.

Filming

Reminding the witness of his police interview, in which he’d told police that ‘every teenager records fights’, the advocate asked whether he found such recordings ‘funny’.

“No, I don’t really get enjoyment out of it,” he replied acknowledging that ‘some fights that happen are funny’.

“Were you aware that Christopher McBurnie would beat children up and have it filmed?” the advocate asked him.

She then detailed an incident in which she said Christopher had punched another child ’40 times’ and had it filmed.

The witness said he wasn't aware of this.

Friends

The witness confirmed to the advocate that he had been friends with the defendant in the past with Ms Grey adding: “You weren’t acting like a friend that day, were you?”

“I’ve already answered that question,” the teenager responded.

The Trial

The juvenile defendant denies the charge of murder.

The trial is due to continue on 5 October.