Four teenagers and a man convicted of murdering two boys in Bristol

Four teenagers and a 45-year-old man have been found guilty of murdering two boys who were attacked with machetes in Bristol following confusion.

Mason Rist, 15, and Max Dixon, 16, died of stab wounds after being chased by four armed youths in the Knowle West area of ​​the city on January 27 this year.

Riley Tolliver, 18, a 16-year-old boy, a 17-year-old boy and getaway driver Antony Snook, 45, were found guilty of the murders of Mason and Max by a jury of nine men and three women at Bristol Crown Court. After a six-week trial, the court heard.

A 15-year-old boy who previously admitted to Mason’s murder was also found guilty of Max’s murder.

Tolliver and three children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were whisked away to Knowle West by Antony Snook, 45, as part of a revenge mission.

Two boys had been incorrectly identified as responsible for bricks thrown at a house in the rival Hartcliffe district earlier that evening.

About an hour after this attack, Snook left the property with two children and picked up the other two from a nearby street before heading to Knowle West.

Snook drove towards Ilminster Avenue and when they saw Mason and Max in the street, they mistakenly believed they had identified those responsible for the attack.

Prosecutor Ray Tully KC told the jury: “They were completely wrong about this. “Max and Mason had absolutely nothing to do with and have no connection to any previous events.”

Tolliver, holding a baseball bat, and three young men armed with machetes jumped out of the car and ran after the two children.

Max and Mason are seen driving to different sides of the street, each being followed by two people from the vehicle.

Tolliver and the 15-year-old boy attacked Mason, while the 16-year-old boy and the 17-year-old boy chased Max.

After attacking Max, the 17-year-old boy also hit Mason, who was lying injured on the ground, while returning to the Audi.

CCTV at Mason’s nearby home recorded the attack lasting just 33 seconds from the time the car pulled up until the teenagers got back in and left.

Mason and Max suffered fatal stab wounds and both died in hospital in the early hours of January 28.

Snook took the teenagers away from the scene and dropped them off at Knowle West.

A fire was lit in the backyard and items linked to the attack were destroyed.

Meanwhile, the 16-year-old bought food and drinks from McDonald’s just six hours after the attack.

Giving evidence, Snook claimed he thought he was taking the teenagers to a “safe house” in his Audi Q2 disabled car following the attack on the Hartcliffe property.

Snook claimed he believed they were outside the safe house when he was told to stop on Ilminster Avenue.

The gardener, who lost his leg in a car accident, said he did not know the boys were carrying guns when Max and Mason were attacked and they looked in the rearview mirror.

“I thought they were getting into a fight or something. I didn’t want to get involved. I didn’t think it was something that would cost two people their lives,” he said.

“I just thought it was something stupid that dragged me between Hartcliffe and Knowle. “I didn’t notice anyone seriously injured.”

The four young people did not testify during the hearing.

But the jury was told the 16-year-old was secretly recorded in custody saying he heard Mason scream during the attack and “sort of had to join in”.

In closing arguments to the jury, lawyers representing the teens said there was no common plan to attack the two boys.

Anna Vigars KC, representing the 16-year-old, argued her client did not intend to kill or cause serious harm to Max or Mason.

“He didn’t act; left behind. If there was a plan, he didn’t know what the plan was,” Ms. Vigars said.

“It wasn’t just that his heart wasn’t in it, it was also that he didn’t have the intention.”

Christopher Quinlan KC, representing the 17-year-old, said his client accepted the manslaughter of Max but denied causing any harm to Mason.

The jury was shown CCTV footage of Mason standing up after being hit by the 15-year-old, with prosecutors claiming the 17-year-old dealt him a second blow.

But Mr Quinlan suggested an alternative, telling jurors: “He managed to get to his feet but due to his injuries he was unable to stand as the 17-year-old passed him.

“When you separate Mason’s actions from those of the 17-year-old, we say there is no evidence that he stabbed her or made contact with her.”

“A baseball bat is a very different weapon choice for going out with a big zombie knife,” he said.

“He had the opportunity to do real serious harm to Mason, but he didn’t.”

Kate Brunner KC, representing the 15-year-old, said she was not involved in the fatal attack on Max because it happened while she was killing Mason.

“He told you the terrible thing he did. He was 14 when he stabbed Mason,” she added.

“He says he did this, he was honest with this court and with you by saying he is guilty.”

Speaking after the verdicts, Detective Superintendent Gary Haskins, senior investigating officer at Avon and Somerset Police, said Max and Mason had gone out for pizza and were fatally attacked due to mistaken identity.

“They are beautiful kids doing their job in their own communities while being senselessly attacked by individuals,” he told the PA news agency.

“What we do know is that they passed Max as they walked towards Mason’s house. Later, Mason leaves his house and joins Max.

“Vehicles pass by and they think, ‘they are doing it, they will do it.’ They were hunting around Knowle looking for humans.

“We know they walked around Knowle two and a half times before encountering these two boys.”