A man has been found guilty of murder following a brutal knife attack in Horfield. Jegir Asaad, 24, killed 39-year-old Tomasz Stankiewicz during the early hours of Wednesday, August 21 last year.
He was convicted of murder yesterday (Friday, February 28) following a two-week trial at Bristol Crown Court and will be sentenced at a later date. Co-defendant Ferahg Fukeri, 29, was found not guilty and was acquitted by the jury.
The court heard how Mr Stankiewicz, from Poland, drove to Filton Avenue on the night of his death to collect one of two women who had been with Asaad and Fukeri. Avon and Somerset Police were called by Asaad at around 2.30am to reports there was a man making threats in the street.
However, officers arrived to find nothing untoward and left the scene. Mr Stankiewicz then offered to take the second woman home and returned to Filton Avenue to meet her at around 3.40am.
He took a wheel wrench from the boot of his car before approaching the property. A fight then broke out which led to him suffering a number of fatal stab wounds.
Mr Stankiewicz was spotted laying in the road by a taxi travelling along Filton Avenue just a few minutes later. He was able to get up and into his car and drive a short distance before stopping and an ambulance was called. However, he died in hospital a short time later.
The court heard how dashcam footage recovered from the taxi showed Asaad with a knife. Two knives were later found at the scene and DNA evidence linked them to Asaad and the murder.
The jury was told Asaad accepted he had used the knife and injured the victim, but claimed he was acting in self-defence. The prosecution argued the ferocity of Assad’s attack and his decision to grab a knife went far beyond self-defence and amounted to murder.
Senior Investigating Officer DI Neil Meade, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Asaad viciously attacked Tomasz Stankiewicz and it is inconceivable he did not recognise that his actions could have had fatal consequences. He is responsible for taking a man’s life. Mr Stankiewicz attempted to drive away, but he was so gravely injured that he was unable to travel far before needing to stop the car.
“Our thoughts are with his family who have been left devastated by the tragic events that unfolded last summer. They have been supported by a specially-trained officer throughout the course of our investigation and we’re appreciative of the support they have shown us.”