British acquitted of murder of 20-year-old compatriot in Crete

The court in Lasithi also acquitted a second defendant who had been charged with complicity in the murder.

Tyrell Matthews-Burton was killed during a brawl in Malia in the early hours of July 23, 2013. About 30 people, all British nationals, who belonged to different groups and were holidaying on the island, started a brawl after heavy alcohol consumption.

Matthews-Burton was knifed in the chest and died while he was being transferred to hospital.

The prosecutor had requested a guilty verdict for the main defendant for murder and illegal possession and use of a weapon. She had also proposed acquitting the second defendant of charges of complicity in murder and involvement in a brawl and a guilty verdict for the charge of carrying a weapon.

The decision to acquit the main defendant was taken by the majority, although both men were found guilty of carrying and possessing a weapon, as well as being involved in a brawl. The sentences for those crimes, which are classified as misdemeanors, have not been announced yet.

Another 16 defendants were acquitted of being involved in the brawl.