The messages, footage and evidence at the heart of schoolboy murder trial

After almost four weeks of harrowing evidence, a jury of 12 people is preparing to decide whether a teenager murdered another schoolboy.

The trial of a boy, now 16, accused of murdering 14-year-old Christopher, who was fatally stabbed in Ramsey on May 29 last year, has heard extensive evidence.

The defendant, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admits inflicting the fatal wound but claims he acted in self-defence. He denies murder.

The trial began on September 20 and has been running for almost four weeks.

We look at the evidence heard during the trial and what the jury must consider. Ultimately, it is for the jury to decide how much weight to give each piece of evidence.

For much of the first two weeks, the jury heard evidence from nine teenagers who either witnessed the fatal fight or were in the area at the time.

Day after day, recorded police interviews with the young people, aged between 14 and 16 at the time, were played in court, followed by cross-examination by defence advocate Siobhan Grey KC.

Some had been interviewed on the day of the incident and were clearly in shock. Cross-examination was often difficult and fraught.

The young people, particularly those most closely involved, struggled to revisit the events of that day.

Snapchat messages exchanged between Christopher, the defendant and others in various group chats have formed a key part of the evidence.

The messages provide a real-time account of the exchanges leading up to the fatal confrontation.

They began the previous day, May 28, when Christopher and the defendant were watching the same TikTok livestream.

The boys traded insults before moving to Snapchat, where the exchanges continued.

The defendant was teased about failing to turn up for a fight in Douglas the previous year, while he accused Christopher and others of being ‘verbalists’ - meaning they were all talk.

The exchanges soon turned to arranging a fight, which the defendant insisted should take place outside his Ramsey home.

The prosecution highlighted threats to kill made by both boys, saying the defendant had made the most of them. However, he maintains they were ‘empty threats’ and claims he only realised a confrontation would happen when the group arrived outside his home.

Among the most harrowing evidence was mobile phone footage, recorded by one of the boys, showing the end of the fight as Christopher realised he had been stabbed. Footage of the entire fight has not been shown in court.

Doorbell footage was also played several times, showing the defendant emerging from his home and asking ‘why do you need so many f****** people?’.

It then shows Christopher walking through the gate after being beckoned by the defendant, as the two boys approach each other.

CCTV footage showed Christopher travelling on a bus with another boy. They were seen joking and laughing, apparently acting out what they might do during the fight.

Further CCTV showed them getting off the bus and making their way towards the defendant's address.

The jury heard from forensic pathologist Dr Aaron Borbora, who confirmed Christopher suffered a stab wound to the chest and another to the arm, passing through the armpit. He also sustained a slash wound to his left side. Both stab wounds were considered ‘severe’, with the chest wound proving fatal.

Defence expert clinical psychologist Dr Rhiannon Lewis and prosecution expert forensic psychologist Dr John Marshall agreed with the defendant's diagnoses of autism and ADHD.

Both also agreed he had very low intelligence, although Dr Lewis considered him intellectually impaired, while Dr Marshall believed he was just above that threshold.

A joint report by prosecution expert child psychiatrist Dr Richard Church and defence expert child psychiatrist Dr Joanna Sales addressed the defendant's mental state, underlying psychiatric vulnerabilities, limited life skills and difficulties with problem-solving.

The jury also heard statements from police officers, paramedics and other witnesses, along with evidence relating to the 999 call.

These were presented as agreed evidence, meaning their contents were accepted by both the prosecution and defence and were not in dispute.

The presentation of evidence concluded on Wednesday, when further agreed evidence was read to the court.

Legal directions, closing speeches and the deemster's summing-up are now taking place, with the jury expected to retire by Thursday afternoon to consider its verdict.

There is no time limit on deliberations, meaning jurors could take hours or days to reach a verdict.