IT is hoped that the two teenagers accused of killing promising young footballer Ramani Morgan, who died after being stabbed in Coventry, will stand trial in September.
The two 17-year-olds, who cannot be named because of their ages, have been charged with the murder of 16-year-old Ramani, from Erdington, Birmingham.
A passer-by alerted the emergency services after finding Ramani collapsed from a stab wound in Clay Lane in the Stoke area late at night on Saturday February 9.
Ramani, said to have had ‘the potential of becoming a professional footballer,’ was rushed to hospital, but died from his injuries, despite the efforts of medical staff.
Appearing at Warwick Crown Court via a video link from the young offender institution where he is on remand, one of the defendants, who is from Coventry, pleaded not guilty to murder.
But the other accused teenager, who is from Birmingham, but on remand at YOI Wetherby in West Yorkshire, did not appear.
With all the lawyers appearing over a video conference facility, his barrister Rebecca Wade explained: “Our understanding from HMP Wetherby is that they do not have any link facility.”
She said attempts had been made for a psychiatric report to be prepared on that youth – but that had not been done because of the lack of a link at a time when no-one was allowed to go into the institution because of the Coronavirus situation.
Tim Hannam, for the Coventry defendant, said: “This is a ‘joint enterprise’ case, so it’s important we know where we stand as soon as possible.”
And Miss Wade responded: “As soon as the doctor is allowed to visit, he will do so and prepare the report.”
Prosecutor Michael Burrows QC, who said there will also be at least one further charge of possessing a knife, pointed out that the trial, which it is expected will last 2-3 weeks, was ‘currently set for the 1st of September.’
And Judge Andrew Lockhart QC remarked: “I’m going to go with that fixture. We have got to seek to try it on that date.”
He ordered that the report on the second defendant should be served by June 21, with a pre-trial hearing to take place at the end of July – and both youths were remanded in custody.
He told the Coventry youth: “You have pleaded not guilty. Your case will be adjourned for trial.
“There may be another charge added relating to an allegation that you took a knife to the scene.
“You must serve a defence case statement by the 21st of June, and you will be here via the prison custody link for a pre-trial review on the 31st of July.”
