Man accused of murdering hotel worker in Walsall tells court he will attend his trial
A murder suspect accused of stabbing a hotel worker at a railway station has made a further court appearance via a prison video-link.
Deng Chol Majek, 20, told Wolverhampton Crown Court via an Arabic interpreter that he will attend his trial, which is due to begin on October 13 and last for three weeks.
Prosecutors allege Majek, who pleaded not guilty to murder at a previous hearing and is understood to be an asylum seeker originally from South Sudan, used a screwdriver to kill Rhiannon Whyte.
The 27-year-old victim, who worked at a hotel in Bescot Crescent, Walsall, died in hospital three days after being found injured at the nearby Bescot Stadium station last October.
The court heard Majek, formerly of Bescot Crescent, maintains that he was not the man who attacked Ms Whyte.
Majek, wearing a dark padded jacket, spoke during Friday’s hearing via the link to HMP Manchester through a Sudanese dialect interpreter, confirming his full name and saying of his forthcoming trial: “I will attend.”
Adjourning the pre-trial hearing, Judge Michael Chambers KC told him: “Your case remains adjourned for trial – that will take place on the 13th of October at ten o’clock.
“As you have been warned previously, if you choose not to attend your trial you run the risk that it may proceed in your absence.
“I remind you that you have a right to give evidence at your trial. But in the meantime you must remain in custody.”
In a statement issued through police shortly after her death, Ms Whyte’s family described her as “the most loved daughter, compassionate sister, loving auntie, gracious granddaughter, beautiful niece, wonderful cousin and devoted friend”.
Their statement added: “The most selfless person, you were brave, quirky, funny and always there for anyone who needed it. There is not enough paper in the world to even begin to write a tribute for you, but no-one deserves it more.”
