Man Charged with Murder Refuses Court Appearance

Deng Chol Majek, 18, who is charged with murder following the stabbing death of a woman at a railway station, declined to appear in court. Mr. Majek, accused of killing Rhiannon Skye Whyte, did not attend to enter pleas at Wolverhampton Crown Court, despite being scheduled to appear via videolink from HMP Manchester. Ms. Whyte, aged 27, succumbed to her injuries in hospital on October 23, three days after the assault at Bescot Stadium station in Walsall. Mr. Majek, whom the BBC reports is an asylum seeker, had been residing at the Park Inn Hotel on Bescot Crescent in Walsall, a location where Ms. Whyte was employed. The 18-year-old, a national of South Sudan, was initially charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon. However, following Ms. Whyte’s death, the initial charge of attempted murder was elevated to murder. On Thursday, defense counsel Charlie Crinon stated that Mr. Majek had declined to communicate with him via an interpreter prior to the hearing, citing that he did not recognize his representative. Judge Michael Chambers KC indicated that the case would proceed on the assumption that the defendant intends to contest the charges. Addressing Mr. Crinon, Judge Chambers stated, “It is important that you have a proper conference and that, like any defendant, he has full confidence in his representation.” The judge added, “I am not in a position to give a trial date this morning.” Mr. Majek remains remanded in custody, with an additional hearing scheduled for December 13. In a statement released following her death, Ms. Whyte’s family, who were present with her at the time of her passing, described her as “selfless” and “brave” and “always there for anyone who needed it.” The trial is slated to commence in April 2025. Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC indicated that the proceedings are anticipated to last between five and seven days.