We walked off from fight, say teens in Ben Morutare trial
Two teenagers accused of violent disorder, which led to 16-year-old Ben Morutare's death, told a court they both saw fighting, but decided to walk away and not get involved.
Both Tahj Mills and Aaron Parkins told the jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court they were not part of any gang and took no part in the violence which erupted outside Smethwick Old Comrades Club, where a party had taken place, on July 28. Ben, of Holden Crescent, Coalpool, Walsall, died from a stab wound to the leg. Witnesses in the trial claimed up to 80 men chased him before he was killed.
He attended the 18th birthday party along with hundreds of others and was found on grass near to the club. He later died in Birmingham Children's Hospital.
Andy Ly, 18, of Fulmer Walk, Ladywood, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Tuesday. Mills, 18, of Waterside, West Bromwich, told the court he went to the party with some girls, but just after 1am went outside because the dance floor had emptied.
He told the court he saw that people were fighting. He said: "When I saw all that going on, I said I'm not getting involved, because it's my birthday the next day. So I didn't and went back to the bus stop to talk to some girls."
Aaron Parkins, 19, told the court he had gone to the party on his own, and was inside the club when he realised something was going on. He said he heard a glass smash, and saw everyone head to the door then the lights came on.
He told the court later he saw a chase: "I saw what was happening, and I thought I'm not going to get involved or nothing."
Mills and Parkins, along with three others deny charges of violent disorder.
The trial continues.
