A court hears how GPS data linked three men to the murder of a teenager in a London park
Daniel Matos, along with Keith Preddie and Joshua Cowley, cycled to Hanworth Park. They were armed with knives, and the court heard how they confronted 19-year-old Tyler Donnelly. Tyler was there to deal drugs but ended up being attacked instead.
Tragically, Tyler never made it home. His body was found the next day, still with drugs and cash on him. The GPS data not only placed Matos at the park but also linked him to a cigarette found near Tyler’s body. Plus, he had Tyler’s blood on his hoodie.
Matos, 22, from Hounslow, Preddie, 33, from Feltham, and Cowley, 28, from Hounslow, all deny the murder that happened on January 24. The prosecutor pointed out that the killing was tied to the dangerous world of drug dealing.
Just before the attack, two drug users had called the “John line” to buy drugs and went to the park expecting to meet Tyler. Instead, they ran into the three men, who were masked and armed. The users left when asked, but the situation escalated quickly.
The prosecution claims that the GPS data shows Matos was in the same area as the attackers. Minutes later, Tyler was last seen cycling into the park. He had a knife on him but didn’t get a chance to use it.
The attack happened fast and wasn’t caught on camera. But it was brutal, with Tyler suffering multiple stab wounds, including a fatal one to his neck. The prosecutor argues all three men were involved in the attack.
After the murder, the trio left the park, with Matos changing clothes at a friend’s place. They were arrested days later but didn’t say much to the police.
The defendants claim they were just there to buy drugs and deny any involvement in Tyler’s death. The defense will argue that Matos went alone and was attacked by others. The prosecutor, however, believes drugs and the violence that comes with them are at the heart of this case.
The trial is still ongoing, and it’s a tough situation for everyone involved.
