Court told of stab victim's last minutes
The final minutes in the life of stabbed Wolverhampton gangland murder victim Marlon Morris have been described to a jury.
The final minutes in the life of stabbed Wolverhampton gangland murder victim Marlon Morris have been described to a jury.
The 21-year-old was killed in the city centre amid growing tension between rival city gang Firetown and a crew from Pendeford, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard. Jamie Price, nicknamed Goldie after his dance music star father, is on trial accused of the father-of-one's murder. Sadaqat Khan, a close friend of the victim, was on a night out with him.
Tragedy struck early on August 24 last year.
Mr Khan told the court: "He was behind me when an argument kicked off and somebody said Marlon had been stabbed. I looked and saw him standing, holding his chest, squeezing the top.
"I heard somebody shout 'It's Goldie,' then there was a sudden movement and I saw somebody jog round the corner with their hood up.
"I did not see his face but he had the same build as Goldie." The taxi driver said he chased the fleeing figure but was confronted by another man – referred to in court as DD – who "swung a knife" at him.
"We had an argument. I was not very happy. Marlon had been stabbed and I wanted to know who had done it," he said.
The stabbing came after members of the Pendeford crew, allegedly including Mr Morris, Mr Khan and Scott "Shredder" Benjamin, chased a Firetown member until he escaped in a car.
Mr Morris, of Pendeford, was knifed four times, including once through the heart, moments later at the corner of Broad Street and Thornley Street.
He was rushed to hospital by car with passengers including Mr Khan who said: "He was unconscious and I told the driver not to worry about red lights or speed cameras."
Mr Khan denied he or Mr Morris, certified dead shortly after arriving at hospital, were members of the Pendeford crew, although he agreed both were seen on CCTV "pursuing" on foot the Firetown gang member.
Price, 22, of Long Ley, Heath Town, admits being in the area and running away but says he fled from a gang member. He denies murder. The trial continues.
