A new Channel 4 documentary will explore the tragic death of Yousef Makki, the teenager who was stabbed in the heart by one of his friends in March 2019.
Makki was just 17 years old when he was killed by Joshua Molnar in a quiet suburban street of Hale Barns, near Altrincham in Greater Manchester. Molnar was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter after claiming he was acting in self defence, but admitted possession of a knife and lying to police, and was sentenced to a 16-month detention and training order.
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The new documentary Killed By A Rich Kid, which airs later this month, features police bodycam footage, 999 calls, CCTV and crime scene photos, along with interviews from witness from the scene, friends, family, journalists, members of the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.
The film saw director Tom Reeves follow members of Makki’s family as they tried to come to terms with his death, and also details the campaign for further legal proceedings in order to find out how he died.
A press release announcing Channel 4’s commission of the film in 2020 said: “The only people who know for certain what happened that night are three boys; one is dead, the second was accused of his murder and the third declined to give evidence in court. Just four months after Yousef was killed, a jury found his friend not guilty of murder or manslaughter. The outcome has been widely questioned, raising issues of class, wealth, and privilege in the justice system. Yousef’s family are hoping that an inquest and re-examination of the case will reveal what happened the night he died.”
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It adds that the documentary will include ‘powerful testimony from those closest to Yousef’, as well as people involved in the criminal trial.
When the film was first announced, director Tom Reeves said in a statement: “Yousef’s tragic death has resonated with me ever since I first heard about it. Having grown up and spent my life not far from where his family live, I couldn’t help but feel connected to this tragic story.
“Yousef’s case raises uncomfortable questions about society and the justice system and his family have been left deeply affected by their experiences of this.
“Whilst filming with them, I have been struck by their determination in refusing to accept that justice was served in this case and their courage in campaigning to keep Yousef’s name alive.”
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Makki’s sister Jade Akoum added: "We have given Channel 4 exclusive access to our family over the past year to follow events since the loss of Yousef at a time of immense heart ache for us all.
"We look forward to the public seeing how hard we have fought to find out what happened to Yousef the night he died and to show what he was really like.
"Viewers will see the unbearable impact knife crime has on the families of victims, we are totally broken without Yousef, and hope this will make just one person think twice before carrying a knife."
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Watch Killed By A Rich Kid on Channel 4 at 9pm on Monday 21 March.
Topics: TV and Film
Jess Hardiman