Tipton murder suspect 'snapped' and killed, court told

Sam Arnold decided it was time to take action after receiving a threatening text message from Daniel Indiga Wallace, according to prosecutor David Mason QC.

Mr Wallace was found dead in a pool of his own blood after being stabbed with with a bladed weapon, believed to meat cleaver or a machete, 19 times at his flat in Fisher Street, Tipton in November last year.

Arnold, of Slater Street, Tipton, denies his murder.

Mr Mason told the jury that the 21-year-old's claim that a text message from Mr Wallace's phone saying 'get round here, I need that money now' was from the deceased and not, as Arnold says, from a drug dealer called Kingsley Campbell.

He said: "That text message shows that Daniel Wallace made threats to Sam Arnold, and would give the defendant a motive to want him dead.

"This story about Kingsley sending the messages is a pack of lies to try and strengthen his case. The phone records show that right up to that message that was sent to Sam Arnold, Dan had been using his phone, no one else. Something in Sam Arnold's head must have snapped and he went to the flat and brutally killed Dan."

Mr Mason also pointed to the confession he is understood to have given to his girlfriend's sister. He said: "His biggest mistake was to let the cat out of the bag."

The evidence of Arnold's girlfriend Penny Harper was also scrutinised by Mr Mason. He said: "When asked if she could be sure if Sam Arnold hadn't left the flat on on the night of November 7, she said no. That means he could have done."

Summing up by the judge was finished shortly before 11am, and then the jury of 12 were sent out to consider the evidence.

The trial continues.