Jonas Hankin QC of No5 Barristers’ Chambers has opened the case for the prosecution in a murder trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
Endris Mohammed, aged 47, has admitted causing the death of eight-year-old Saros Endris and his six-year-old sister Leonor Endris as a result of being mentally ill, but denies murder. He also denies the attempted murder of his wife Penil Teklehaimanot, 37.
The children died in a house fire in Holland Road, Hamstead, Great Barr, on October 28 last year. Post mortem examinations revealed both children were smothered to death.
Mr Hankin told the court: “The defendant… admits he intentionally killed his children.
“But it will be argued on his behalf…that he should be convicted of manslaughter rather than murder.”
The court heard Mr Mohammed told a psychiatrist he intended to take his own life and had smothered the children after becoming depressed and deciding they “would be better off dead”.
The trial continues and is expected to last about two weeks.
Follow the link to read a report on the BBC’s website: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-41918606
Jonas Hankin QC is a member of the Crime Group at No5
