Jahziah Coke Murder Trial Hears Key Evidence

Teenager Stands Trial for Murder of 13-Year-Old Jahziah Coke

By Jason King

Ateenager accused of murdering 13-year-old Jahziah Cokefled the scene, caught a bus, and later searched for train tickets to Paris, a jury atWolverhampton Crown Courthas heard.

Jahziah Coke was found with fatal stab woundsin the hallway of anOldbury houseonAugust 29 last year.Paramedicsarrived to find himbleeding heavily, suffering asix-inch-deep chest woundthat had nearly severed a rib. Despite attempts to save him,he was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Prosecutor Kevin Hegarty KCsaid the defendant and another boy, who was initially charged but later cleared,escaped over garden fencesbefore taking a bus to afemale friend’s flat. The defendant, whocannot be named due to his age, appeared“stressed and sweaty”on arrival, she told police.

In recorded evidence, thefriend said he used her phone to search for train ticketsand asked forbleach, which she gave him in a plastic bottle. He also requestedfresh clothes, saying he had wet himself. That evening, after learning ofJahziah’s death, she said the defendant becameemotional, admittedstruggling with him, and repeatedly said,“It shouldn’t have happened.”

Forensic scientist Gillian O’Boyletold the courtdiluted bloodwas found in the kitchen, suggesting aclean-up attempt. Blood was also discovered on adamaged bedroom door,banister, andstairway walls.

Aman in his 40s, whocannot be named, is also on trial forallegedly helping the defendant evade arrest