A man accused of murdering a schoolboy with a Samurai sword during a horrific 20-minute rampage has denied that he re-enacted the violent act during a chat about films with a member of psychiatric hospital staff. Marcus Arduini Monzo, 37, claimed he has ‘no memory’ of killing schoolboy Daniel Anjorin, 14, or attacking a further five people in Hainault, east London, last April.
Following the attack, Monzo compared the events to ‘The Hunger Games’ films and also claimed to have an alternative personality of a “professional assassin”, the court heard. While being cross-examined earlier today (Monday, June 16), the defendant denied being a fan of horror films, saying he liked “Lego” movies and had not even watched all of The Hunger Games franchise.
In court, Monzo was asked about a conversation he had with a member of staff shortly after his arrest, at Broadmoor secure psychiatric hospital.
Prosecutor Tom Little KC asked: “What about other films about killing? 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?”
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 April 30.”
Monzo replied: “I don’t know,” following which the prosecutor asked: “Do you remember attacking anybody on April 30?” Monzo replied: “I don’t remember anything.”
Mr Little also quizzed the defendant about a video in which Monzo showed off a sword and described it as “frigging sexy” before the attacks. The prosecutor said: “Did you think that the sword that you used on April 30 was ‘frigging sexy’?”
Monzo told jurors: “I was trying to be funny. If I had watched it back I would not have liked it and deleted it.”
Earlier, the defendant told jurors he believed in conspiracy theories, including that the earth is flat and that the 9/11 terrorist attack in the United States was “probably” a conspiracy. The defendant also told jurors his views were largely formed after he visited India and started consuming hallucinogenic tea ayahuasca and cannabis.
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, but does admit to owning two swords.
The Old Bailey trial continues.
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