Birmingham bus stop murder accused could face trial next year
BBCA man accused of murdering a woman who was stabbed in the neck in Birmingham may appear in court in May.
Djeison Rafael appeared at Birmingham Crown Court via video link from HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire, charged with the murder of Katie Fox.
The 34-year-old man was stabbed on Smallbrook Queensway shortly before 9pm on November 7 and died later in hospital.
Mr Rafael, 21, wearing a gray jumper, spoke only to confirm his name during the 15-minute hearing before Judge Simon Drew.
During the hearing, he sat forward and at one point stood briefly before returning to his seat.
Prosecution lawyer Michael Brady said that the hearing, which is expected to last two weeks, will be heard before the Supreme Court judge and the date has been set as May 5.
The court heard that psychiatric reports had to be collected before the trial began and the judge had told the defendant that he would have to be present to make his defense from now on.
The judge said: “Mr Rafael, I adjourn your case and the case will be listed on 16 January.
“No matter what prison you are in, you can participate via prison video link. I know you were recently transferred.”
As well as Ms Fox’s murder, Mr Rafael, of Rosedale Avenue, Smethwick, is charged with two counts of causing actual bodily harm on October 27 and November 7, possession of a Stanley knife on November 7 and assaulting a custody escort officer on November 8.
West Midlands Police has appealed for information from anyone with more information about what happened.
