A man accused of murdering a Wentworth teenager has pleaded not guilty

Leighton Finn was shot and killed in June 2023 while returning home from winter break.

The trial of Dondro Addison, 19 in the Durban High Court on Monday.

Addison, through his legal representative, told the court that he knew nothing about the murder.

He claims he was asleep at his grandmother’s house at the time of the shooting, saying he was awakened by the news that he was a suspect in Leighton’s murder.

The claims were challenged when a state witness took the stand and told the court he saw Addison run up behind Finn and shoot him several times.

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He pointed to the accused when asked if the person he said he saw shoot the boy was in the hall.

The witness went on to describe seeing Layton fall face down on the ground as his killer fled across the park.

Layton’s father, Tyrone, broke down in tears, crying loudly at one point during that testimony before leaving the courtroom.

During cross-examination, the witness was asked why he did not report the murder immediately.

He replied that he feared for his life and only called the police later that day.

The trial will continue on Wednesday.

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