A 17-year-old has been cleared of murdering a teenager who was fatally stabbed in front of shocked bus passengers in south London.
The defendant was accused of knifing 17-year-old Damani Mauge in the chest and neck as they grappled on the single-decker bus in Croydon on March 8.
Damani, who had only seconds earlier boarded the 130 bus, collapsed on the pavement after the fight spilled onto the street, the Old Bailey heard.
The defendant was then alleged to have tried to snatch Damani’s gold-coloured chain as the boy lay dying.
Giving evidence in his defence, the youth had denied intending to kill Damani, claiming it was an accident.
He told jurors that he carried the large hunting knife for his own protection and only got it out to warn off Damani, who he had been aware of.
A jury deliberated for 27 hours to clear the youth of murder and the lesser alternative charge of manslaughter.
The defendant, who cannot be named because of his age, was found guilty of possessing an offensive weapon.
