Teen killer asked AI for legal advice after knifing ‘gentle’ roommate to death

A killer stabbed a teenager to death and then asked his AI phone app for updates on the murder and legal advice.

Musa Salih tried to trick his victim into a basement toilet with a view to lock him in and steal his money.

In the fight that ensued Harley Purdue, 19, was stabbed multiple times during the unprovoked assault in Thorold Road on December 2 last year.

Mr Purdue was lured to the building’s communal basement with the intent of locking him in a toilet and then going on to steal money from his bedroom.

But as Mr Purdue fought back, he was stabbed eight times by Salih.

Mr Purdue’s girlfriend got in between the two, with Salih trying to injure her before fleeing the house.

He was arrested later the same day in Lewisham, with police going through his phone to find he had asked an AI app for legal advice and updates about the killing.

Despite denying the offence, a Maidstone Crown Court jury found the Eritrean national guilty of murder on Thursday.

A relative, who had been in court, posted after: ‘We are family and will always support each other.

‘It’s been a very emotional 6 weeks worth every minute to hear that guilty verdict. RIP our gentle giant Harley.’

DS Alastair Worton said: ‘Salih’s plan to steal Mr Purdue’s money in the middle of the night, whilst armed with a knife, resulted in the death of a young man and left his family mourning the loss of a loved one.

‘The swift response to track him down in London, followed by a comprehensive investigation, ensured the jury went on to convict him of murder.

‘Our thoughts remain with Harley’s loved ones, whose strength and dignity throughout our investigation and the court proceedings has been commendable. I hope today’s verdict brings them some sense that justice has been done.’

Salih, 19, of Launceston Road, Greenford, will be sentenced on Wednesday 4 November.