Man, 37, denies killing man found with chest injuries on city centre street in Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton city centre street was shut amid murder probe
A 37-year-old man has denied killing another man during an altercation in a city centre street allegedly involving a knife and a taser gun.
Brad Thomas died in from chest injuries following the incident, in Clarence Street, in Wolverhampton, which happened on July 5 at at at round 3am.
At the city’s crown court on Tuesday accused Joseph Wills Jnr, of Inkerman Street, Heath Town, pleaded not guilty to murdering the 27-year-old who was found with a stab wound.
Co-defendant 65-year-old Joseph Wills Snr pleaded not guilty to an offence of having a knife in a public place and an offence of assisting an offender relating to the washing of clothing and providing transport.
Judge Michael Chambers KC set the trial date for Feb 1 next year.
Wills Jnr, who was wearing a grey t-shirt was remanded in custody until then. Wills Snr, who was wearing a navy long-sleeved top, was granted bail with conditions that he must surrender his passport and live and sleep at an address in Inkerman Street.
At the time of the incident West Midlands Police road closed Clarence Street between its junctions with Waterloo Road and Birch Street resulting in a number of churches in the vicinity being unable to open for on site worship on the Sunday due to the ensuing investigation.
Residents in the area left many floral, balloon and candle tributes to the deceased at the scene.
In a statement Mr Thomas's family said: "Brad was a loving son, father and brother and was one of a kind. He will be missed by all his friends and family."