A shocking trial began on January 17th, with seven men accused of the murder of 24-year-old Kai McGinley, who was fatally shot after a deliberate car crash in Erith. The prosecution alleges that this was a meticulously planned and targeted execution, likely related to drug activity.
Kai McGinley lost his life on the evening of February 9, 2023, when he was blasted to death with a shotgun on Pembroke Road in Erith. Prosecuting counsel Brian O’Neill KC presented the case to the jury at the Old Bailey.
According to Mr O’Neill, on that fateful evening, Kai McGinley was accompanied by his friends, Bill Burton and Norman Samura, in a stolen white Mini Countryman, bearing false license plates. At approximately 8:45 pm, while they were driving along Pembroke Road, a silver Land Rover Freelander approached them in the opposite direction, its headlights turned off. Close behind the Land Rover was a grey Peugeot 307.
“As it got closer, it became clear to the occupants of the Mini that the Land Rover was driving towards it, head-on, with its lights off. In an attempt to let the oncoming Land Rover pass, Kai began to move the Mini to the left-hand side of the road but it was struck, deliberately, at speed and with force, by the Land Rover,” recounted Mr. O’Neill.
The Mini spun to the right before coming to a halt. At this point, some or all of the occupants of the Peugeot and the Land Rover reportedly exited their vehicles, approached the Mini, and opened fire. Mr O’Neill alleged that “four or five shots were fired from two shotguns at close range, one of which fatally wounded Kai McGinley. They then fled the scene. The Land Rover broke down further down the road.”
Emergency services were called, but despite their efforts, Kai McGinley was pronounced dead at 9:31 pm. The cause of death was confirmed as a gunshot wound to his chest.
The seven accused men jointly face charges of murdering Kai McGinley and attempting to murder Mr Burton and Mr Samura. The accused individuals are as follows:
- Enriko Spahui, 21, of Elmhurst in Belvedere
- Jalees Selby-Gangera, 18, of Woodfield Close in Erith
- Connor Brooks, 21, of Horsa Road in Erith
- Bradlee Reeve, 34, of Chapman Road in Erith
- Kai Osibodu, 24, of Riverdale Road in Erith
- Charlei Brabon, 19, of Bryon Drive in Erith
- Anthony Wallder, 21, of Eastry Road in Bexley
Mr. O’Neill asserted that Reeve, Spahiu, and Wallder were in the Peugeot, while Osibodu, Brooks, Selby-Gangera, and Brabon were in the Land Rover. All seven men have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The trial will continue as the court seeks justice for the tragic loss of Kai McGinley and the ordeal faced by his friends.
