Cousins guilty of student murder

Two cousins were today facing long prison sentences after the senseless murder of a 21-year-old Wolverhampton student who dreamed of becoming an architect.

Ashley James, 23, was this morning found guilty of the manslaughter of Uriel Johnson, pictured, after a five day trial in a unanimous verdict by a jury who found him not guilty of murder.

His cousin Errol Price, 25, has already admitted the murder and the pair have been remanded in custody for sentence at a later date.

Wolverhampton Crown Court was told a push or stare in a pub sparked the tragic chain of events that led to Uriel being knifed through the heart in Bilston three days later last July.

He was involved in a row at the packed Otter and Vixen in Bushbury which quickly spiralled out of control as knives were drawn and four people were hurt. Uriel received a minor stab wound in the back during the fracas which left both James and Price nursing black eyes.

Three days later Uriel left City of Wolverhampton College's Bilston campus as James drove passed and chased after him. He managed to run away but his tormentor was joined by Price. Price found their target and stabbed him.