Four teenage boys convicted of murder and manslaughter following death of Kennie Carter
Six others now aged between 15 and 19 were found not guilty of murder and manslaughter
A 16-year-old boy has been found guilty of murdering Kennie Carter by a majority verdict at Manchester Crown Court following an 11-week trial.
Three boys, Latif Ferguson (14/04/06) of Old Trafford, and two 16-year-olds were also found guilty of manslaughter by majority.
Six others now aged between 15 and 19 were found not guilty of murder and manslaughter.
Kennie, who was only 16 years old at the time, was tragically killed by a single stab wound to the chest while he was walking home along Thirlmere Avenue in Stretford. He was only one street away from safety at his home.
Greater Manchester Police specialist detectives and police staff investigators spent thousands of hours collating and reviewing CCTV footage, telephone handset data and witness accounts.
They were able to definitively determine a group of boys travelled from Hulme to Stretford on the evening of 22 January 2022 looking for retribution following an incident the evening before.
They went to a block of flats where they knew Kennie’s friends would typically hang out.
Whilst there, they stole three bikes, and a witness heard them shout ‘this is revenge’.
Kennie was made aware a group of boys were in the area and later headed home. In a tragic turn of events, he passed the group on Moss Road, and it is at that moment he became their focus.
Kennie was killed following a single stab wound to the chest whilst he was on the phone.
Sadly, he would never make it home to his family.
The group of boys ran from the scene, none of them provided him with any medical assistance, nor called for an ambulance.
Officers were made aware a boy was fighting for his life on the street and raced to the scene to perform CPR before paramedics arrived and rushed him to hospital, where Kennie died from his injuries.
Detectives launched a murder investigation; speaking with witnesses and working with partners to visit nearby schools and colleges, and engage with young people in the area.
GMP analysed CCTV, following all evidential opportunities including executing over 20 warrants, determined to unravel the events that led to Kennie’s death and get justice for him and his family.
Following numerous public appeals for information, which included a £50,000 reward and heartfelt messages from Kennie’s parents, GMP were able to identify ten teenage boys and they were jointly charged in connection with his murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Nicola McCulloch from GMP's Major Incident Team said: “Firstly, I would like to express my deepest condolences to Kennie’s mum Joan and dad Glen, his wider family and friends as well as the rest of the Carter family.
“It’s been nearly two-and-a-half years since Kennie was taken from them in this spiteful attack, and it has been extremely difficult for them in court. They’ve had to watch and listen to Kennie’s last moments many times; something no family should have to experience.
“This case serves as a sobering reminder of the destruction carrying and using knives can cause, not only has one boy lost his life, but since that tragic evening many more have been irreversibly impacted.
“I would like to thank the entire team for their hard work and dedication throughout this complex investigation. I would also like to express my gratitude for the CPS and prosecution who have worked closely with us.”
Paying tribute to her son, Joan said: “Kennie brightened up every day with his cheeky smile and his bubbly personality, he was always acting daft, telling jokes and generally being a 16-year-old boy, he had everything to live for.
“He was our baby, the youngest of our four children, and just starting out in life. He had so many plans for his future, he was about to start applying for college, wanting to design artwork on cars.
“He was a very talented artist; I hadn’t realised how artistic he was until one of his teachers showed us his drawings and they were genuinely impressive.
“Life since the day of his murder has not been the same, we all miss Kennie so much, every day I wake up thinking of him, I dream about him regularly.
“We are still stuck on the day Kennie was killed and I feel people are moving on and forgetting about our Kennie. Life has stopped for us and will never ever be the same.”
Sentencing will take place on Friday 26 July 2024.