A 15-year-old boy, found guilty of murdering a promising architecture student following an argument over conker throwing, has today (13.06.12) been sentenced to 10 years and six months imprisonment.
Following a five-week trial the Enfield teenager was found guilty at the Old Bailey on 16 May of murder 21-year-old Steven Grisales in Edmonton on 31 August 2011.
The court heard how Steven had been doing some shopping for his grandmother in Edmonton in the hours before he was murdered. He dropped off the shopping and was heading home towards Silver Street train station along College Close.
As he approached the station he noticed a group of teenagers throwing conkers, still in their spiky green cases, at passing pedestrians. Steven remonstrated with the group and an argument began resulting in conkers being thrown at Steven. As the argument continued the teenager pulled out a knife and stabbed Steven in the chest. A local resident rushed to Steven's aid to prevent a more prolonged attack but Steven had
already suffered a fatal wound. He was rushed to the Royal London Hospital where he eventually died of his injuries on 1 September.
A post mortem examination gave the cause of death as a stab wound to the heart.
Steven of Enfield, had moved from London to Argentina to live with his father. While in Argentina he was enrolled on an international architectural course at Belgrano University and helped to manage the family restaurant.
Steven came back to London in July 2011 hoping to gain a scholarship at Westminster University in London to begin a similar architectural course to the one he was doing in Argentina. Tragically, he was due to have an interview with the university the day after he was murdered.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Richard Beadle, of the Homicide and Serious Crime Command (HSCC) said:
"The defendant has shown no remorse and has continually lied about his involvement. He was even prepared to blame the stabbing on his friend if it meant he could escape conviction. Fortunately the jury saw through this dishonest charade. His arrogance and contempt for others belies his age.
"I am extremely grateful to those witnesses who came forward - without them we would not have achieved a successful prosecution. Sadly there were others, known to the defendant, who held vital information and refused to help the inquiry. In fact they did all they could to deter the investigation and ultimately justice.
"I hope this conviction will bring some sense of justice to Steven's family who have been devastated by his murder. He truly was a nice, honest, young man with a bright future.
"A moment of madness by an armed individual resulted in the most tragic of circumstances. Steven Grisales should be alive today.
The defendant now has many years behind bars to ponder over his actions. I hope that by the time he does come back into society, he has matured enough to recognise his wrongdoing and even show some remorse.
"He is young enough to still have a life and a future; I hope he realises that and one day grasps the opportunity to do something positive with his life; ultimately something that he deprived Steven Grisales of."
Steven's mother, Jasmid Grisales, told the Metropolitan Police:
"Also a really big thank you to victim support from the start of our nightmare, they have been supporting us in every single way and they really are making our lives easier. They have done so much to help us get through this terrible experience - we can see and feel the big difference that they make in our lives.
"It is true to say that this verdict does not change our lives in anyway because we lost Steven forever and he is not coming back to us. We have to carry this cross for the rest of our lives.
"Steven was always loved by absolutely every person who had the privilege of knowing him and calling him a friend, cousin, nephew, grandson, son or brother. He always gave without expecting anything in return and he always tried for everyone around him to be happy.
"This result can show that in a way it is justice and people should start learning that for every wrong you do, sooner or later you have to pay the price."
