Delaney Barnett-Rohoman, 27, flew into a jealous rage when he discovered Josie Hall, the mother of his children, with Nash Lee Walsh-Trew, 24.
Mr Walsh-Trew's best friend Harold Muzeremwi, 20, tried to intervene but was stabbed twice in the back and died less than an hour later.
Barnett-Rohoman claimed he acted in self defence but was convicted of the murder of Mr Muzeremwi and the attempted murder of Nash Le Walsh-Trew.
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Statement from the Met Police:
A man who fatally stabbed an innocent man while attacking a love rival has been found guilty of murder.
Delaney Barnett (11.3.86 – 27 ys) of Baring Road SE12 was today (7 May 2013) found guilty of the murder of 20-year-old Harold Muzeremwi, and the attempted murder of 25-year-old Nash Leigh Walsh-Drew, following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder, with a recommendation he serve a minimum of 20 years, and 14 years' imprisonment for the attempted murder. The sentences are to run concurrently.
The court heard how Barnett attended the address of his former girlfriend in Kingsley Wood Drive SE9 on the afternoon of 20 October 2012. The previous evening, a party had been held at the address which both victims had attended.
On entering the address, he found his ex-partner watching television with Walsh- Drew in a bedroom at the property.
Barnett went to the kitchen and armed himself with two knives before attempting to attack Walsh-Drew
Harold Muzeremwi, who was in the lounge of the flat, heard the commotion and went to protect his friend. Both men sustained knife injuries in the ensuing struggle before Barnett fled from the scene.
London Ambulance Service attended the address but Mr Muzeremwi was pronounced dead at the scene. A post-mortem subsequently revealed that one of the knife wounds had severed his pulmonary artery.
Walsh-Drew was taken to hospital suffering stab injuries to the front and back of his body – he has since recovered from his injuries.
On the evening of 20 October 2012, Barnett surrendered himself at Lewisham Police Station and was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder.
Detective Chief Inspector Cliff Lyons from the Homicide and Serious Crime Command, investigated the incident. He said:
"This case concerned the callous taking of the life of Harold Muzeremwi who was defending his friend from an armed attacker. The defendant, Delaney Barnett, was enraged that his former partner had formed a relationship with Nash Leigh Walsh- Drew.
"He attacked Mr. Walsh-Drew and stabbed his rival, causing serious injuries. Harold intervened and died as a result of the stab wounds he received.
"Harold was unarmed, and with no thought for his own safety, sought to protect his friend from an armed attacker."
A statement from Harold Muzeremwi's family said:
"When I said goodbye to my son on Friday 19 October 2012, I was hoping to see him on the20 October as arranged. I always encouraged my son to stay indoors and not on the streets. Harold heeded my advice but met his death indoors where he believed he was safe.
"Harold was stabbed by someone whom he did not know, whom he had not wronged. It was only because he tried to be a peacemaker that he consequently paid the ultimate price.
"Someone's moment of madness resulted in my son's death – the loss of a child, a best friend and brother. Nothing and no one can bring my son back but justice has been served and Delaney Barnett will make no other parent walk down a lifelong path of pain as I will."
Post published in: Africa News