Man, 20, who stabbed and killed generous and caring dad to be sentenced today
Georgie Tannetta stabbed James Brogan, 43, in the arm and left him bleeding heavily at Train Park in St Mellons, Cardiff on November 12 last year. Mr Brogan suffered multiple organ failure as a result of a cardiac arrest and died in hospital the following morning.
Tannetta, of Rhodfa Crughywel, Trowbridge, denied murder and possession of a bladed article but was found guilty following a trial at Newport Crown Court in May.
A 17-year-old boy witnessed the stabbing and in a police interview played to the court, he said: "I went to work, I've come home, I don't go out normally because I'm busy training and stuff. Went to a boy's house, all the boys were there, we walked to the Train Park where it all happened and we saw the suspect stab James Brogan.
"As soon as it happened I stood there, watched because I was shocked, and rode off.'
He added: 'He's come over to all the boys, the person who did it, I was behind them so I don't know what he said to the boys. He's come over, he's started to walk over to Chicken Lane where James Brogan was standing with a can of Stella speaking to someone.
"He came over with the knife behind his coat, he's pulled it out and he's swinging it with no fear.' When asked to name the person, the teenager said: 'Georgie Tannetta.'
The 17-year-old said: 'I seen him go over there and stab him. It was going on a good 30 seconds to a minute. He kept swinging it and as he's run off, as he's swinging it he dropped the knife and picked it back up and kept going.
'As he was swinging it James Brogan shouted 'Tannetta'. He ran over to them and asked them if they wanted to chill and they said no. We rode off on our bikes.'
Mr Brogan had been stabbed and had collapsed while bleeding heavily. He was treated by paramedics at the scene and on route to University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff, and at the intensive care unit at that hospital. However, despite the best efforts of medical staff he died as a consequence of his injuries.
Tannetta was later found hiding in the attic of his aunt's home in Cardiff and was arrested on suspicion of murder. He later told officers had been assaulted by Mr Brogan two days before his death.
The defendant is due to be sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court today and will receive a sentence of life imprisonment.
Paying tribute to Mr Brogan his family said he was a "generous, caring and thoughtful" man. They added he was a "comedian who loved making people smile and laugh.'
The statement said: "James was 43 years old when his life was stolen from him, still a young man. James was a deeply loved son brother uncle nephew cousin and very proud father of three children. James will never get the opportunity to watch his children grow their own families and become a grandfather the way it should be. None of us will see him pop his head around our doors and crack a joke making us laugh, we are all victims still here, dealing with our great loss.
'James Brogan will never be forgotten by his loved ones, family and friends. We pray he gets the justice he deserves and rests in peace."
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