Smethwick internet cafe murder trial: 'Killer accused victim of staring at him before knife attack'
A murder suspect accused his victim of staring at him seconds before plunging a knife into his neck, a jury was told.
The killing followed a chance meeting between Douane Brown and Horace Williams at an internet cafe in Cape Hill, Smethwick, that also acted as a Bureau de Change, a court heard.
The 39-year-old left the building 40 seconds after first spotting Mr Williams but the pair came face to face when the defendant returned less than five minutes later.
Brown asked 'why are you staring at me?' before pulling a knife from his pocket and plunging it into the neck of the 36-year-old, said Mr Peter Grieves-Smith, prosecuting. The defendant left with two other men.
Mr Williams followed Brown from the cafe clutching his neck and leaving a trail of blood from the single wound before collapsing in the street.
A passing motorist and paramedics tried unsuccessfully to save the wounded man. Mr Williams was certified dead less than 30 minutes after the stabbing.
Within an hour of the killing Brown booked a flight to Jamaica that was due to take-off two days after the April 16 stabbing, Birmingham Crown Court heard. But he was arrested on April 17.
Mr Paul Lewis QC, defending, admitted to the jury that Brown was holding the knife when the blade went into the neck of Mr Williams.
Mr Grieves-Smith commented: "Judging from their reactions, the two men knew each other."
He said the defence were expected to claim that Brown was frightened of the victim and acted in self defence. The prosecutor asked: "If he was genuinely fearful why did he return after seeing the man in the internet café. Why didn't he seek help from his two associates who were outside?"
Mr Grieves-Smith said: "When you look at the CCTV you will be sure he did not act in lawful self defence.
"Mr Williams was leaning on the counter when the defendant chose to take out a knife from his pocket, pull out the blade and plunge it into the neck of the other man. He did it once, walked out of the shop and made good his escape."
Brown, a carpenter from Bickington Road, Bartley Green, denies murder and the trial continues.
