Elmi Awil, a Brunel University student and talented basketball player, has been cleared of murder and manslaughter following a case made by his legal team that he acted in self-defence.
Mr Awil, 21, was charged with killing Mustafa Farah, 24, following an argument between two groups on 4 June 2016 on Willesden High Road, north-west London. Awil hit Farah with the handle from a shopping trolley after being threatened by Farah in the confrontation.
Pathologist Ashley Fegan-Earl found he had suffered a heart attack as a result of being struck in the vagus nerve in the neck, something he had only seen three times in 17,000 post-mortem examinations.
Farah died in hospital eight days after being injured. Awil initially left the country after the confrontation and went to Amsterdam but later handed himself in to police.
Awil was represented by James Scobie QC of the Garden Court Chambers Crime Team leading Jay Nutkins of Lloyds PR Solicitors. James Scobie QC was instructed by James O’Donnell of Lloyds PR Solicitors.
