Man convicted of Boxing Day killing after police manhunt

A man who was arrested following a police manhunt after he was identified as the prime suspect in a Boxing Day killing has been convicted.

Jurejs Vankovs, 39 (14.05.85) of no fixed address was found guilty of the manslaughter of 49-year-old Michael Murphy following the conclusion of a trial at Wood Green Crown Court on Wednesday, 17 July.

He will be sentenced at the same court Tuesday, 1 October.

Michael died following an altercation with Vankovs shortly after 03:00hrs on 26 December 2023 in Cranwood Street, EC1. Witnesses described how the pair, who were known to each other, became involved in an argument which escalated to a violent conclusion.

Vankovs pursued Michael who fell to the ground; as Michael raised a leg to defend himself while prone on the ground, Vankovs was seen to make a stabbing motion towards him. Michael cried out that he had been stabbed as Vankovs walked off.

Members of the public rush to assist but Vankovs' attack had damaged an artery in Michael’s leg. Paramedics arrived but despite their efforts, Michael died at the scene.

Detectives launched an investigation which included compiling CCTV of Vankovs' movements as he fled the scene.

Vankovs, who lived a transient lifestyle around the Hackney area, went to ground and specialist officers launched a manhunt to find him. He was located and arrested on New Year’s Day. Despite refusing to answer any questions put to him by detectives, Vankovs was charged with Michael’s murder.

Detective Chief Inspector Kelly Allen who led the investigation said: “Michael’s life was taken away in a matter of seconds as a result of completely unnecessary violence by Jurejs Vankovs.

“Whatever the trigger was for this fatal attack, the level of aggression used by Vankovs was completely disproportionate to the threat he faced.

“With Michael lying defenceless on the ground, Vankovs had a choice of how to conclude their altercation - he chose to stab him, causing Michael an injury that he could not survive.

“This choice has left Michael’s family, and those who knew him, completed devastated and he must now face up to the consequences of his actions.”