Cheeky claim in texts over Walsall teenager murder, jury told
Messages sent from a phone belonging to a man on trial in connection with the murder of a teenager suggested the youngster had been 'cheeky' shortly before he was fatally stabbed, a court heard.
Jordan Campbell is jointly charged with violent disorder following an attack on Ben Morutare and two of his friends outside the Smethwick Home Guard and Old Comrades Club in the early hours of July 28 last year.
Ben, aged 16, of Holden Crescent, Coalpool, Walsall, died less than five hours after being stabbed to the left leg. Mr Michael Burrows QC, prosecuting, told Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday that trainers seized from Campbell's home had contained traces of blood belonging to Ben, who he said had been chased, punched and kicked by a group of mainly older youths.
He claimed there were messages about Ben on Campbell's phone, which he had sent to others.
The court heard that one message from Campbell, aged 18, of Portland Road, Edgbaston, said he 'still looked like a little boy' while another said it had been 'so sad' hearing a boy say 'I'm dying'.
The jury heard there were also messages talking about a boy being stabbed and that he had been 'cheeky' to Andy. Campbell denies violent disorder.
Andy Ly, aged 18, of Fulmer Walk, and Omar Robinson, 19, of Rann Close, both Ladywood, deny Ben's murder and violent disorder.
Mr Burrows said there was evidence both had a knife, or similar weapon, and stabbed towards the youngster. He said: "They cannot both have stabbed him because there was only the one wound. The prosecution says they are both guilty of murder. This was a joint attack." He told the court Ly had admitted having an altercation with Ben and claimed he acted in self defence, but was heard walking away saying, 'I stabbed him up' and 'That's what you get for messing with me'.
Mr Burrows said Ly was seen in a bloodstained T-shirt that was never recovered. Ben had been invited to a friend's 17th birthday party at the club in Oldbury Road, Smethwick.
Four other men deny violent disorder. They are Kwamae Phillips, 18, of Gillott Road, Edgbaston; Tahj Mills, 18, of Waterside Street, West Bromwich; Tobias Blake, 20, of Kelsall Croft, Ladywood, and Aaron Parkins, 19, whose address cannot be reported for legal reasons.
Blake also denies possessing a hunting knife in a public place. Mr Burrows opened the case to a fresh jury yesterday after a juror on the previous panel was taken ill.
The trial continues.
