LONDON – Two individuals have been convicted of murder in connection with the stabbing death of Kalabe Legesse in Peckham Rye on December 30, 2022. Nah’shun Thomas, 20, and a 17-year-old boy have been found guilty of murdering Legesse, who was killed while sitting on a bench in the park. The two attackers had been cycling around Southwark, looking for people to rob, and had already carried out two phone robberies before targeting Legesse.
During the attack, Legesse’s friend heard the assailants asking him where he was from and what he had with him before being threatened and subsequently stabbed once in the heart. Despite the efforts of emergency response teams, Legesse succumbed to his injuries. The attackers were later traced back to their homes, where a hunting knife with Legesse’s blood was found at the 17-year-old’s residence. Thomas and the minor both denied but were ultimately convicted of their crimes.
Furthermore, a post-mortem examination revealed that Legesse had suffered a haemorrhage resulting from a single stab wound to the heart. The pair had also admitted to two counts of robbery in relation to the incidents before the fatal attack. They are set to be sentenced at Croydon Crown Court on April 19, and have been remanded in custody until then.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, Legesse’s family expressed their grief and disbelief, emphasizing that he was doing nothing wrong when he was killed and that they will never understand why he was targeted over a mobile phone. They also thanked the investigation team for their diligent work throughout the year to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The sentencing is yet to take place, and the family continues to grieve their loss, hoping for some form of closure with the conviction of the individuals responsible for Legesse’s untimely death.