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Two guilty of murder if they entered joint enterprise to kill over drug row, judge says

Summary

In a Central Criminal Court hearing, Mr Justice Tony Hunt explained that two men, Viorel Doroscan (23) and Otniel Richardo Clejan (24), could be found guilty of murder if they were part of a joint enterprise that intended to kill or cause serious harm, and if one of them used a weapon to fatally wound 22‑year‑old Muhamud Ilyas during a dispute over a stolen cannabis bag. The judge noted that if one participant exceeded the agreed plan, only that person would be guilty of murder. He also clarified that a verdict of manslaughter could be reached if the jury found no intent to kill, or if the death resulted from an unlawful assault without intent. The judge further addressed the case of Lorenzo Cantaragiu, who faced charges of impeding the arrest of Doroscan and Clejan, and explained the evidential requirements for conviction. Viorel Doroscan pleaded not guilty. Otniel Richardo Clejan pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Two guilty of murder if they entered joint enterprise to kill over drug row, judge says. Charges or matters: the murder of Mr Ilyas on December 9, 2022; all charges. Procedural stage: trial

When:

• December 9, 2022 Other
• 2025-05-07 Publication

Why: The judge told the jury that in order to convict Mr Cantaragiu of the charges against him, they had to be convinced that there was the commission of an arrestable offence; that Mr Cantaragiu had knowledge or a belief that an offence had been committed; that he did commit certain acts; and that what he did was done to impede the arrest or apprehension of others. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Trial Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report