Jury retires to consider boy's murder trial verdict

Jahziah Coke was found with fatal stab wounds at house in Oldbury

The jury in a trial of a teenager accused of a 13-year-old boy's murder has retired to consider its verdict.

Jahziah Coke was found fatally stabbed at a house in Oldbury, Sandwell, by paramedics responding to a 999 call on 29 August, 2024.

Prosecutors allege the accused, who cannot be identified because of his age, stabbed Jahziah in the stomach and chest, in a row over a missing quantity of cannabis.

The defendant, who denies murder and an alternative count of manslaughter, claims the wounds were not deliberate.

He told the jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court that he was left traumatised after grabbing Jahziah's hands while being threatened with a knife, which he twisted towards the floor.

He also said he did not have the knife in his own hands and dialled 999, leaving the property once he believed Jahziah was dead.

Jahziah was found by paramedics after a 999 call was made

Summing up the evidence before sending the jury out, High Court judge Mrs Justice Tipples instructed jurors to strive to reach unanimous verdicts.

Jurors were also considering a verdict on a co-defendant, aged in his 40s, who also cannot be named. He denies assisting an offender.

The jury deliberated for about two hours without reaching a verdict and will resume discussions on Thursday morning.