Teenager Tells Murder Jury Bhim Kohli Grabbed His Shoe, Triggering Violence

A 15-year-old boy has testified at Leicester Crown Court, giving his version of events surrounding the fatal attack on pensioner Bhim Kohli, who was found injured and later died in Franklin Park, Braunstone Town, near Leicester, last September. The youth, who cannot be named due to his age, stands accused of murder, but he claims that he did not intentionally kill the 80-year-old grandfather.

In his testimony, the boy explained that he and his friends, including a 12-year-old female who is also on trial for manslaughter, were at the park on Sunday, September 1, when the altercation with Mr. Kohli occurred. According to the boy, he was wearing a pair of open-back shoes, commonly referred to as sliders, when the incident unfolded. He described how, after his shoe fell off, Mr. Kohli grabbed it, which is said to have sparked the conflict.

The teenager asserted that the situation escalated after Mr. Kohli attempted to hold on to the shoe. He claimed that, in the ensuing struggle, he tried to protect a friend, which inadvertently led to violence. The boy’s account paints a picture of a chaotic and confusing moment, suggesting that the fatal injuries inflicted upon Mr. Kohli were not intentional but the result of an unfortunate series of events.

The events that led to Mr. Kohli’s death were set into motion when the boy and his friends sat down in the park to “just chill.” According to his testimony, it was a normal afternoon until a conversation took a turn when the 12-year-old friend mentioned that Mr. Kohli was thought to be carrying a knife. This claim was later established to be false, and there is no evidence suggesting that Mr. Kohli had any weapon on him.

The boy’s defense hinges on the idea that the interaction with Mr. Kohli was not premeditated or malicious. He insists that his actions were in self-defense and in protection of his friend, though the consequences were tragic. The jury is now tasked with deciding whether the teenager’s version of events is plausible or if, as the prosecution suggests, his actions were far more deliberate and violent.

Mr. Kohli’s body was discovered under a tree in Franklin Park, severely injured, and he was later pronounced dead in the hospital. The case has sparked widespread attention, not just due to the tragic loss of a beloved local figure, but also due to the involvement of minors in such a violent act.

The trial continues, with the prosecution and defense both presenting their arguments as they attempt to paint a clearer picture of the events leading to Mr. Kohli’s death. The fate of the boy and his friend will ultimately be determined by the jury’s deliberations.