🔴 RHIANNON WHYTE MURDER TRIAL LIVE

Key Points

• Rhiannon Whyte was discovered with stab wounds on the platform at Bescot Stadium train station in Walsall back in October 2024

• She passed away in the hospital after three days

• The 27-year-old was employed at a hotel housing asylum seekers

• Deng Majek, a Sudanese citizen claiming to be 19, pleads not guilty to murder and carrying a dangerous weapon

• The defense challenges the identification of a person seen on security footage trailing Ms. Whyte and tossing her phone into the River Tame

• Majek insists he remained at the hotel and never visited the train station on the evening of her death

Live Reporting

Edited and written by Ben Freeman, with Jason King live in Wolverhampton Crown Court:

🔴 FRIDAY 24 OCTOBER
🔴 BREAKING: DENG MAJEK FOUND GUILTY OF RHIANNON WHYTE MURDER

The jury has returned a guilty verdict against Deng Majek for the murder of Rhiannon Whyte, after prosecutors dismissed his defence as “laughable” & highlighted DNA evidence linking him to the victim ⬇️

🔴 JURY SENT OUT FOR DELIBERATIONS

His Honour Judge Michael Chambers KC has sent the jury out for deliberations in the trial of Deng Chol Majek at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

🔴 TODAY IN COURT- THURSDAY 23 OCTOBER:

PROSECUTOR ASKS JURORS TO REJECT ‘LAUGHABLE’ DEFENCE

The jury in the trial of Deng Chol Majek, the Sudanese asylum seeker accused of murdering 27-year-old hotel worker Rhiannon Whyte, yesterday heard powerful closing speeches from both prosecution and defence at Wolverhampton Crown Court. The prosecution described his account as “laughable” and his actions “utterly callous,” while the defence warned jurors against treating the case as “a referendum on asylum.”

Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC told the jury they faced a simple but critical question — whether to believe the forensic and CCTV evidence, or to accept the defendant’s denials. “Do you accept the evidence of an independent forensic scientist, or do you believe the defendant who sat silently in interview, with no answers to police questions?” she asked. “Do you accept the detailed, colour CCTV footage of the attacker in identical clothing to the defendant, or do you believe the defendant when he says, ‘It’s not me’?”

The court has heard that Ms Whyte was stabbed 23 times on the night of 20 October 2024 after leaving her shift at the Park Inn Hotel in Walsall, where Majek had also been staying. Eleven of the wounds penetrated her skull, one fatally damaging her brain stem. She was discovered slumped on the platform at Bescot Stadium station and later died in hospital, never regaining consciousness.

Ms Heeley said Majek, who denies murder, could be clearly identified on CCTV footage following Ms Whyte towards the station, wearing “that jacket with the different colour arms, black combats, a man bag and sandals.” While acknowledging that some cameras offered limited resolution, she said other sections were “in perfect technicolour” and could leave no doubt. “The suggestion that it is anyone other than this defendant is just ridiculous,” she told the court.

She reminded jurors that the defendant was captured returning to the hotel after the killing, changing from bloodstained sandals into white trainers before going back outside “with his speaker and dances.” “He is celebrating,” she said. “His mood has changed from that prolonged scowl in the café before the murder to dancing and joy after the murder. It is utterly callous.”

Ms Heeley urged the jury to weigh what she described as the defendant’s repeated untruths, including his account of his own age. Majek claims to be 19, but documentation from German authorities records him as 27. “You do not need to resolve how old the defendant was,” she said, “but I suggest it is telling that the Italian and German authorities had his date of birth as the same date and month that he gave to you — the 1st of January. If he is prepared to lie about that to you, what else is he prepared to lie about?”

She further accused Majek of remaining silent during police interview because “he knew he was guilty and that is why he sat silently.” “You may think it’s not really a difficult question,” she said. “I suggest his answers to you are laughable. He is trying to meet the overwhelming evidence, and he has failed.”

For the defence, Gurdeep Garcha KC opened his address by acknowledging that Ms Whyte’s death was a tragedy — “a waste of a young life” — but urged the jury to remain dispassionate. “A female walking from work to a railway station being attacked in a frenzied assault is every parent’s worst nightmare,” he said. “This is as sad a case as it’s possible to imagine.”

However, Mr Garcha stressed that jurors must judge the case on the evidence, not emotion or politics. “Mr Majek is not on trial, and he has not been charged, based on the fact he is an asylum seeker,” he said. “The only issue is: has the prosecution made you sure that he’s the person that followed Rhiannon Whyte and inflicted those injuries upon her?”

The defence maintained that Majek had given a consistent and comprehensive account, pointing to what Mr Garcha described as “very significant gaps” in the Crown’s case. He reminded the court that the defendant denied being the person seen on CCTV at the railway station and nearby shop, and that he rejected the forensic evidence as mistaken.

Majek also denies possessing a screwdriver as an offensive weapon, the tool alleged to have been used in the fatal attack.

After the closing speeches concluded, the court adjourned. The jury is expected to continue considering the evidence as the trial resumes today.

🔴 COURT ADJOURNED: JOIN US TOMORROW

That concludes our live coverage from Wolverhampton Crown Court for today the 22nd of October 2025.

The judge has now retired the Jury, and the murder trial of Deng Majek stands adjourned until tomorrow morning.

We will be back with our gavel-to-gavel coverage as the trial resumes. Don't miss a minute stay tuned:

🔴 DEFENCE CLOSES CASE; JURY TO RETURN TOMORROW

The defence has formally closed its case in the murder trial of Majek at Wolverhampton Crown Court. The jury has been directed to return to court tomorrow.

(Update published at 13:09)

🔴 PROSECUTOR: 'YOU HID A SCREWDRIVER,' MAJEK DENIES ALL ACCUSATIONS

Michelle Heeley KC concluded her cross-examination by accusing Majek of arming himself and brutally attacking Ms. Whyte.

Heeley KC first questioned Majek on his decision to remain silent when questioned by police. The defendant claimed his solicitor advised him he would "go to prison" if he spoke. Heeley KC challenged him: "I suggest you remained silent because you had no answer."

She then delivered a direct accusation: "I suggest you hid a screwdriver that night about your person."

Majek replied: "That wasn’t me."

Heeley KC continued with the sequence of events: "And you followed Rhiannon to the station," and "And then you brutally attacked her." Majek repeated his denial to each charge: "No, it wasn’t me." 

(Update published at 12:52)

🔴 MAJEK DENIES FIGHT, CLAIMS 'NO DNA' UNDER FINGERNAIL

Moving to the key piece of DNA evidence, Michelle Heeley KC asked Majek: "Tell this jury why her [Rhiannon's] DNA was under your right fingernail."

Majek replied: "I never touched her, and there is no DNA."

Heeley KC immediately countered: "There is DNA because she tried to fight you off, didn’t she?" Majek remained firm: "I don’t accept what you’re saying to me. I didn’t fight her off and I didn’t do anything."

(Update published at 12:36)

🔴 MAJEK DENIES BEING MAN SEEN WALKING BACK TO HOTEL

Footage was shown of a person walking from a shop, then along the side of the hotel, and entering the reception area. Michelle Heeley KC detailed the figure: "That person has a black man bag on their side, a hood up... That’s you isn't it? And you are wearing, I would suggest, identical clothes..."

Majek replied: "The person in the shot is not me."

Heeley KC pressed him on a black plastic bag the person was holding. Majek said he couldn't be sure of the contents but was adamant he "wasn't there" and "wasn't sitting outside." Heeley KC ended the segment by noting: "It had been just under an hour since Rhiannon Whyte had been murdered."

(Update published at 12:32)

🔴 PROSECUTION QUIZZES MAJEK ON CONFLICTING ALCOHOL PURCHASE ACCOUNTS

The court was shown footage of a man in a grey top buying beer from a shop—a figure Majek has previously denied is him. Referencing Majek's earlier claim that he bought beer at a different shop before it got dark, Michelle Heeley KC pressed him on the location and exact time of that purchase.

Majek stated he could not give directions to the shop and could not remember the exact time, maintaining his denial that the man in the video was him.

(Update published at 12:18)

🔴 'JUST ADMIT IT': MAJEK DENIES BEING MAN SEEN ENTERING SHOP

The court was shown CCTV footage of a man walking down a street on the night of Ms. Whyte's attack. Michelle Heeley KC pointed out the figure's clothing similarity to what Majek wore, highlighting the detailing on the bag and a white headphone in one ear. Footage then showed the same man entering a shop.

Majek claimed: "I'm not the only person that owns that jacket."

Heeley KC then suggested the man had the same haircut. She concluded: "It's you Majek, just admit it to the jury." Majek once again denied the assertion.

🔴 PROSECUTOR: FIGURE LEAVING STATION HAS MS. WHYTE'S PHONE

Following a short adjournment, Michelle Heeley KC turned to the events immediately after Ms. Whyte was fatally injured. She showed the court footage of a person leaving the platform at Bescot Stadium train station.

Heeley KC pointed out the figure's man bag, black cargo trousers, and flip-flops, which she suggested were "identical" to Majek's attire. Crucially, she highlighted an illuminated object in the figure's left hand, which she asserted was Ms. Whyte's phone. Majek repeated his denial: "That's not me.”

🔴 WHYTE SUFFERED DEFENSIVE WOUNDS AND SKULL INJURIES

The court was told the devastating severity of the attack as Michelle Heeley KC detailed the injuries Ms. Whyte sustained. The victim was seen slumped on the Bescot Stadium station platform when a train arrived at 23:24 on 20 October 2024. She was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital but never regained consciousness and later died.

The court heard that 11 of the 23 stab wounds penetrated her skull, with one damaging the brain stem—the ultimate cause of her death. She also suffered injuries to her chest and arm, which the court was told are consistent with her desperately trying to defend herself from the attack.

(Update published at 11:48)

🔴 'IT WASN'T ME': MAJEK DENIES STABBING, ROBBERY, AND INTENT TO KILL

Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC concluded this section of her cross-examination by making a series of direct accusations against Majek.

Challenging him on the forensic evidence, Heeley KC stated: "I suggest that her blood was found on several items of your clothing." Majek countered: "No, it wasn't me and my items did not have blood on them." 

The prosecutor then accused him directly: "You were the person that stabbed her, weren't you?" Majek replied, "No, it wasn't me." 

Heeley KC continued, accusing him of attacking Ms. Whyte "several times to the skull" and stating he "intended to kill her," but each time Majek simply repeated: "It wasn't me." Heeley KC concluded by stating Majek "stole her phone and threw it in the river," which he also denied.

(Update published at 11:42)

🔴 'ABOUT TO MURDER': PROSECUTOR IDENTIFIES FIGURE IN CCTV

The court was shown new CCTV images from the Bescot Stadium station, capturing a figure walking up the stairs to the railway bridge. Michelle Heeley KC told the jury: "This is the figure that is about to murder Rhiannon Whyte walking up the stairs."

She detailed the figure's clothing—including a black man bag and rings on his fingers—and asked Majek if he had been concealing a screwdriver up his sleeve at that moment. Majek simply repeated his standard denial: "That's not me." 

🔴 MAJEK DENIES IDENTICAL JACKET, FLIP-FLOPS IN CCTV IMAGES

The jury was shown images of Ms. Whyte walking across the car park at Bescot Stadium train station, followed shortly afterward by a man walking in the same direction. 

Michelle Heeley KC challenged Majek: "Do you agree that figure is wearing an identical jacket to the one found in your room?" and pressed him on the man's flip-flops, black cargo trousers, and man bag. Majek maintained a categorical denial for each item: "I don't know this person and this is not me."

(Update published at 11:23)

🔴 PROSECUTOR: 'IT'S YOU MAJEK' AS SHE TRACES HOTEL EXIT

Michelle Heeley KC moved to CCTV footage showing a man the prosecution claims is Majek leaving the hotel and walking toward Walsall's football stadium.

"We followed you up and past the football stadium," she told him. Majek replied: "I don't know this person." Heeley KC insisted: "It's you Majek." He denied this again.

(Update published at 11:19)

🔴 PROSECUTOR ALLEGES MAJEK WAS 'MAKING HER FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE'

The court was shown images of Ms. Whyte pointing out the seat where Majek had been sitting to a security guard.

Heeley KC asked Majek to confirm he had been staring at female staff behind the bar: "You are looking directly at them, weren't you?" Majek denied this.

The prosecutor then showed an image of Ms. Whyte reaching for what the court was told was a rape alarm. Heeley KC alleged Majek had been "making her uncomfortable" and had deliberately walked at the women as he exited for a cigarette. Majek denied both the intimidation and having interacted with Ms. Whyte.

(Update published at 11:10)

🔴 MAJEK DENIES STARING AT FEMALE HOTEL WORKERS

Cross-examination has moved to 20 October last year—the day Rhiannon Whyte was fatally injured. The court was shown images of Majek in the Park Inn Hotel dining area. 

Michelle Heeley KC asked if he was looking in the direction of Ms. Whyte, who was also in the area. "No," Majek said. Heeley KC then accused him directly: "You were staring at the female hotel workers, weren't you?" Majek again denied the allegation.

(Update published at 10:59)

🔴 MAJEK EXPLAINS AGE DISCREPANCY FROM SEA RESCUE

Majek was cross-examined on the discrepancy regarding his age (he claims to be 19, but ID documents suggested 27). He told Michelle Heeley KC the mistake came about when he was rescued by Italian authorities after taking a boat from Libya. 

He claimed the incorrect date of birth (1 January 1998) was processed because he was not provided with an interpreter at the time of processing his information.

(Update published at 10:54)

🔴 DEFENDANT CONFIRMS: 'I DON'T SPEAK ANY ENGLISH'

Michelle Heeley KC began her cross-examination by questioning Majek about his journey from Sudan and his command of English.

Responding through his interpreter, Majek stated clearly: "I don't speak any English."

(Update published at 10:42)

🔴 CROSS-EXAMINATION RESUMES

The cross-examination of Majek, led by prosecution barrister Michelle Heeley KC, has resumed for the day.

(Update published at 10:41)

🔴 PROSECUTION CHALLENGES MAJEK ON BLOOD AND CCTV DENIALS

At the end of yesterday's proceedings, Michelle Heeley KC began her cross-examination of Majek. She immediately challenged his denial of the forensic evidence, reminding him that scientist Elizabeth Simpson found Ms. Whyte's blood on his jacket, trousers, flip-flops, and a ring. When asked how it got there, Majek replied: "I don't know why, because I'm sure my stuff had no blood on it." 

Majek was also challenged on the CCTV images showing a man in his clothes that night. Heeley KC asked him to look the jury in the eye and deny it was him, which he did: "That's not me." 

🔴 COURT BACK IN SESSION:

Wolverhampton Crown Court is now back in session on 22:00 October 2025 for the trial of Sudanese national Deng Majek, who claims to be 19, denies murdering Rhiannon Whyte and possession of an offensive weapon.

🔴 COURT ADJOURNED: JOIN US TOMORROW

That concludes our live coverage from Wolverhampton Crown Court for today the 21st of October 2025.

The judge has now retired the Jury, and the murder trial of Deng Majek stands adjourned until tomorrow morning.

We will be back with our gavel-to-gavel coverage as the trial resumes. Don't miss a minute stay tuned:

🔴 'Look This Jury in the Eye', Prosecutor Demands of Majek

Michelle Heeley KC concluded her cross-examination of Majek for today’s with a series of powerful challenges, bringing the day's evidence in court to an end.

The prosecutor reminded Majek of the CCTV images showing a man wearing the exact clothes he confirmed wearing—a man the prosecution says followed Ms. Whyte to the station before leaving and stopping at a shop.

Heeley KC then delivered a dramatic instruction: -

"Look this jury in the eye and tell them that’s not you."

Majek turned to the jury and responded:

"That’s not me."

Returning to the forensic evidence presented by scientist Elizabeth Simpson, Heeley KC challenged Majek's earlier denial: "Ms Simpson is not lying about the forensics, is she?" Majek replied, "She’s wrong." When pressed on why an independent forensic scientist would be wrong, Majek maintained:

"I don’t know why, because I’m sure my stuff had no blood on it."

Heeley KC ended her questioning with a final, direct accusation:

"How was Rhiannon’s blood under your right hand fingernail. It was there because you attacked Rhiannon Whyte, didn’t you?"

Majek responded simply: "No."

🔴 Majek Rejects Prosecutor's Claim of Whyte's Blood on His Jacket

Cross-examination continued as Michelle Heeley KC immediately confronted Majek regarding the forensic evidence that found Rhiannon Whyte's blood on a jacket seized from his room.

The prosecutor challenged Majek directly, demanding: "Tell this jury how Rhiannon Whyte's blood got on your jacket."

Majek met the challenge with a categorical denial, stating: "My jacket didn’t have any blood on it."

Heeley KC pressed the point forcefully, stating, "Your jacket did have blood on it, Majek, tell the jury how it got there." Majek repeated his denial to the court, saying, "My jacket had no blood on it."

🔴 Prosecution Begins Cross-Examination on Majek's Clothing

The court has now moved on to the prosecution's cross-examination of Majek, led by Michelle Heeley KC.

Heeley KC began by asking Majek to confirm the specific items he was wearing on the night of the attack—including black cargo trousers, a grey jacket, a square man bag, and a number of rings—which he readily confirmed.

The prosecutor then focused on the consistency of the evidence, asking Majek if he changed his clothes at any point that night. Majek stated clearly: "I didn't get changed, no."

He further confirmed that the clothing later seized by the police was the exact same attire he wore throughout the entire evening.

🔴 Majek Rejects All Forensic Evidence Linking Him to Murder

Defence lawyer Gurdeep Garcha KC has now questioned Majek regarding the scientific evidence presented in court yesterday.

Garcha KC reminded Majek of the testimony from forensic scientist Elizabeth Simpson, who told the court that blood almost certainly belonging to Rhiannon Whyte was found on a jacket recovered from Majek's room. Asked if he accepted this evidence, Majek replied, "No."

Majek went on to deny all other major pieces of scientific evidence presented by the prosecution. He rejected the evidence that Ms. Whyte's blood was found on his flip-flops, trousers, and one of his rings.

Furthermore, Majek denied that his own DNA was found under Ms. Whyte's fingernails.

🔴 Majek Denies Changing Shoes To Hide Blood Evidence

During questioning today, Majek was asked for more detail about his movements and purchases on the night Rhiannon Whyte was killed.

Shown a CCTV still of a man buying "OJ beer" at 23:48, Majek firmly denied the image was of him, stating, "it wasn't me." He also denied being the person shown in subsequent images walking back toward the hotel.

However, Majek did agree that he was the figure in dark trousers shown on hotel CCTV at 00:13, where he said he was "sitting outside... speaking on the phone, in the smoking area." Footage also captured him with a black carrier bag, which he told the court "probably" contained headphones, though he could not recall for certain.

The court was then shown footage of Majek entering his room wearing flip-flops and emerging only minutes later, at 00:37, in white trainers. Asked why he changed his footwear, Majek claimed he was planning to go back outside and "it was cold."

In a direct challenge to his testimony, Majek was asked if he changed shoes because he was aware the flip-flops had blood on them.

He replied: "No."

🔴 Majek Asked If He Was 'Euphoric' After Attack

Defence lawyer Gurdeep Garcha KC confronted Majek about his demeanor in the hotel car park, asking if he was "euphoric" in the minutes following the fatal attack on Rhiannon Whyte.

Majek was questioned about mobile phone footage that showed him socialising with a group of men in the car park. Describing them as "some guys sitting outside," Majek said:

"There were a lot of us playing music, just sitting outside. I joined them."

He explained he had taken a speaker outside because "I always like to play music when I'm smoking."

Garcha KC noted that it had been suggested earlier in the trial that Majek appeared "happier" at that point than he had earlier in the evening. Majek denied this, stating,

"No, I was in a normal mood."

The defence lawyer then drew attention to the phone footage, which captured the blue lights of ambulances and police cars at the nearby train station. Asked if he knew someone was being treated who had been seriously injured, Majek replied, "No."

Garcha KC then asked directly about his dancing:

"Is that because you are euphoric at what you'd done to Rhiannon Whyte a few minutes earlier?"

Majek responded: "I was playing music and dancing like normal.”

🔴 Defendant Admits Drinking Alcohol While on Camera

Mobile phone footage of defendant Deng Majek socializing outside the Park Inn Hotel was placed under scrutiny during his testimony this afternoon at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

The video clip, which had been previously shown in court, captured Mr. Majek in the hotel car park, where he was seen dancing and singing with a group of men while holding a drink.

During questioning, Mr. Majek initially stated the cup contained coffee from the hotel.

However, when pressed by his defence barrister, Gurdeep Garcha KC, Majek confirmed he had in fact consumed alcohol. Asked where he acquired the alcohol, the defendant told the court he had purchased it from a shop "earlier in the evening, before it was dark," adding that he was unable to recall the name of the shop.

🔴 Accused Claims He Was ‘Chilling’ in Hotel Parking Area

Majek has persistently maintained that he spent the night of the deadly assault alongside several men in the Park Inn hotel’s parking lot.

“A bunch of fellows were there that I was relaxing with,” he informed the jury.

He mentioned consuming coffee and heading to a nearby store prior to nightfall to purchase beer.

Garcha then suggested to him that he was the individual police had followed via security cameras that evening, shadowing Ms Whyte.

“No, that’s not me,” he responded.

🔴 Majek Questioned on Attire in Surveillance Video

The line of inquiry at Wolverhampton Crown Court has shifted to the outfit worn by the figure appearing in the CCTV recordings.

Defence barrister Gurdeep Garcha KC asked Majek: “What were you wearing?”

Majek answered: “Flip-flops.”

He was then questioned: “Is the footwear on the individual in the subsequent image identical or dissimilar?”

“It’s not the same,” Majek responded.

Garcha inquired: “Did you obtain Rhiannon’s phone?”

“No, it wasn’t me,” Majek stated.

Garcha followed up: “Are you the individual observed discarding the phone into the River Tame?”

“No, it’s not me,” Majek replied.

The defendant once more rejected any presence at the railway station that night, reiterating that he was “in the smoking zone outside the hotel.”

🔴 Accused Insists He Was Not on Railway Bridge

Additional security camera recordings and still images depicting a male at Bescot Stadium railway station just prior to and soon after the assault on Rhiannon Whyte were presented to the jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Defence barrister Gurdeep Garcha KC directed attention to the footage, stating: “Examine the individual’s left hand, lifted near their face. Is there any visible jewellery or rings on this person’s hands?”

Deng Majek responded: “The image isn’t sharp. That isn’t me.”

Mr Garcha pressed on: “Are you the one on the footbridge, obscuring your face while crossing?”

“That is not me,” Mr Majek answered.

He further denied appearing in four subsequent photographs showing a man returning across the same footbridge.

Mr Garcha inquired: “During those approximately 90 seconds, did you assault Rhiannon Whyte?”

“No, it wasn’t me,” he replied.

The barrister then asked: “Did you inflict the wounds that ultimately caused her death during that period?”

“No,” Mr Majek stated.

🔴 Accused Claims He Was Distracted by Phone When Victim Departed

Deng Majek acknowledged during his testimony at Wolverhampton Crown Court that surveillance footage placed Rhiannon Whyte just a short distance away from him in the Park Inn hotel’s parking area, but he insisted there was no exchange between them.

The video presented to the jury next depicted Ms Whyte exiting the parking lot, yet the defendant maintained he was unaware of her beginning her journey toward Bescot Stadium railway station.

Mr Majek, dressed in the same dark grey hoodie with lighter grey sleeves and matching light grey pants he has worn for the duration of the proceedings, told the court that at the moment of her departure, he remained occupied with his cigarette and his mobile device.

Prosecutors had previously contended that Mr Majek intentionally trailed her upon her exit from the hotel.

🔴 Deng Majek Murder Trial: Jury Views Video of Victim Exiting Hotel

We’re back from the lunch break as proceedings have restarted at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

The jury has been presented with surveillance video from the Park Inn hotel’s front entrance, capturing Rhiannon Whyte departing while Deng Majek was outside having a cigarette.

Mr Majek testified that he failed to spot Ms Whyte as she exited and denied conversing with any other individuals who were smoking nearby.

“I was occupied with my phone,” he explained to the court via his interpreter.

🔴 Family Remembers Rhiannon Whyte as ‘Selfless’ and Beloved

Following the tragic death of Rhiannon Whyte, her family shared a heartfelt tribute through the police.

They described her as “the most cherished daughter, caring sister, devoted aunty, kind granddaughter, lovely niece, amazing cousin, and loyal friend.”

The family highlighted her selfless nature, noting she was “brave, unique, humorous, and always ready to support anyone in need.”

They concluded with a poignant message: “We will love and miss you now, always, and forever.”

🔴 Debate Surrounds Interpretation of CCTV Evidence

Security camera recordings have played a central role in the arguments presented by both the prosecution and defence throughout the trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Last week, prosecuting barrister Michelle Heeley KC informed the jury that items of clothing taken by police from Deng Majek’s room at the Park Inn hotel included “the jacket visible on the attacker in the CCTV footage.”

While testifying, Detective Sergeant Rebecca Haywood outlined the attire of the suspect captured at the scene: “a grey jacket with two tones—darker on the torso and lighter on the sleeves—paired with black cargo pants and flip-flops.”

In cross-examination, defence barrister Gurdeep Garcha KC pointed out the substandard clarity of the video from the vicinity of Bescot Stadium railway station.

He noted that the figure in the footage wore “clothing resembling” what Mr Majek had on at the hotel.

Det Sgt Haywood replied: “In my view, it’s identical.”

The prosecution also presented hotel surveillance video to the jury, claiming it depicted Mr Majek gazing at female employees.

However, in his testimony today, the defendant stated he was simply enjoying music on his phone and refuted any prior encounter with Rhiannon Whyte.

🔴Break for lunch

The court has now broken for lunch and the trial will resume just after 2:00pm

🔴 Deng Majek Murder Trial: Visible Reactions from Victim’s Family in Courtroom

At Wolverhampton Crown Court, where Deng Majek is on trial for the murder of Rhiannon Whyte, the public gallery and press area are both fully occupied.

Members of Ms Whyte’s family are attentively observing the defendant as he responds to inquiries from his defence barrister, Gurdeep Garcha KC.

During discussions of Ms Whyte’s last known movements and the presentation of CCTV footage showing her at the Park Inn hotel before her departure, evident signs of anger are apparent on the faces of some in attendance.

🔴 Defendant Quizzed on Rings Found in His Possession

In ongoing proceedings at Wolverhampton Crown Court, Deng Majek faced questions from his defence barrister, Gurdeep Garcha KC, about rings he was observed removing from a necklace chain and putting on his fingers.

Mr Majek explained to the jury: “I felt like wearing them. That’s my usual habit. I put them on my fingers to avoid losing them.”

Mr Garcha inquired: “Do the rings hold any particular meaning?”

“No, I simply enjoy having them,” Mr Majek responded.

The barrister followed up: “Are they of value?”

“Yes,” Mr Majek confirmed.

Earlier in the trial, the court heard evidence that police seized 19 rings from Mr Majek, with blood detected on five of them. A forensic expert testified that the blood on one ring was a match for that of Rhiannon Whyte.

🔴 Defendant Discusses Movements on Night of Incident

As the trial of Deng Majek continues at Wolverhampton Crown Court, the defendant provided further testimony regarding his actions on the evening of 20 October 2024, when Rhiannon Whyte was fatally stabbed at Bescot Stadium railway station in Walsall.

Under questioning from his defence barrister, Gurdeep Garcha KC, Mr Majek described leaving the Park Inn hotel, where he was residing as an asylum seeker, to smoke outside. He told the court he briefly spoke in Arabic with a security guard before returning to the hotel’s dining area.

Mr Garcha then asked about CCTV footage showing Mr Majek exiting the hotel again around 23:00 BST, close to the time Ms Whyte’s shift ended. The defendant confirmed he was the individual captured on the footage but maintained he had no interaction with Ms Whyte or her colleague at the hotel’s reception desk when he stepped out for another cigarette.

The barrister pressed further, asking, “Were you aware that Rhiannon Whyte used the train from Bescot Stadium station to travel home to Walsall?”

“No,” Mr Majek replied.

🔴 Majek Claims No Staring at Female Employees in Hotel

We’re shifting focus to Majek’s description of the events on the day of the assault on Ms. Whyte.

When questioned about security video depicting him in the hotel’s eating area focused on his phone, the accused stated he was enjoying tunes and rejected any suggestion of ogling female workers, Ms. Whyte included.

He mentioned he typically chose that spot to sit.

🔴 Accused Rejects Knowledge of Hotel Conflicts

Defense lawyer Garcha presses on, inquiring if Majek was aware of a situation at the hotel regarding damaged cookies.

The attorney noted another individual had caused issues with employees over it, yet Majek claimed ignorance.

He also dismissed seeing a separate event where a fellow resident yelled at Rhiannon Whyte and hurled a dish onto the ground.

Proceedings Continue published at 12:19 BST

Court is back in session, and we’re listening to more from Majek.

🔴 Security Footage Challenged by Defense

A monochrome image depicting a shadowy silhouette on stairs (Image courtesy of CPS)

In his testimony earlier today, Majek refuted being the individual in the station’s surveillance images.

The previous week, the courtroom viewed clips that the prosecution alleged showed the accused discarding Ms. Whyte’s cellphone from a bridge shortly following the incident.

Authorities later retrieved the device from the River Tame.

That said, defense attorney Gurdeep Garcha emphasized that the person’s identity in those and additional nighttime recordings remains highly contested, with inconsistent video clarity.

He informed the jury that although the station had 20 cameras, merely four were operational, and none recorded the deadly assault or the suspect holding a weapon.

🔴 Short Recess in Court

A quick pause is underway.

🔴 Majek Denies Any Interaction with Victim at Hotel

Majek was probed on his connection to Rhiannon Whyte and firmly denied ever encountering her.

She handled serving in the Park Inn’s dining area and reception duties, but he maintained no interactions occurred, adding that language barriers would have prevented English conversations anyway.

He further rejected any phone or online exchanges and said he hadn’t even spotted her around the premises.

When asked about motives to injure her, he responded negatively once more.

🔴 Accused Insists He Wasn’t at Train Station

The defense counsel directly questioned Majek on whether he was present at Bescot train station during the stabbing of Ms. Whyte.

He answered in the negative, disavowing any role in the lethal incident.

He affirmed his location was back at the hotel.

🔴 Background on Family in Sudan

Testimony revealed Majek hails from a big family, including seven sisters and three brothers, without any school attendance or structured learning.

He explained departing Sudan due to personal dangers from ongoing conflict.

Jurors learned he has a daughter remaining in Sudan after his exit from the nation.

🔴 Clean Record Highlighted

Majek informed the court of his lack of prior arrests, warnings, or similar marks on his record.

He discussed fleeing Sudan at 16, journeying via Libya, Italy, and Germany.

During his time in Germany, a police document claimed he, while intoxicated, struck a train’s driver and passenger doors.

No harm resulted, and the probe was dropped.

The report listed his birth as January 1, 1998, implying he’d be 27 today, but he called that an error.

🔴 Inquiries into Accused’s UK Entry

Majek stated to the court his birthplace is Khartoum, with Dinka as his primary tongue, common in South Sudan.

He’s testifying via an interpreter today.

It was revealed he reached the UK in July 2024, seeking asylum.

During processing, he resided at the Park Inn in Walsall.

🔴 Accused Starts Testifying

Deng Majek, the defendant, has commenced his courtroom testimony through an Arabic translator.

Defense barrister Gurdeep Garcha KC is leading the questions, beginning with Majek affirming his age as 19.

🔴 Friend Recalls Hearing Cries

Earlier at Wolverhampton Crown Court, the prosecution outlined how Majek allegedly pursued and slain Rhiannon Whyte after tailing her from the hotel to the adjacent station post her 23:00 BST shift end.

Jurors heard she phoned a companion at 23:04, with surveillance showing Majek narrowing the distance as she neared the empty platform.

Prosecutor Michelle Heeley stated: “That’s when the state alleges the accused struck.”

CCTV of Ms. Whyte using her phone at the station was presented.

A somewhat fuzzy grayscale photo of someone with pale hair atop stairs (Image courtesy of CPS)

Her pal, Emma Cowley, testified via recorded video last Wednesday. She described a quiet moment followed by “an extremely shrill, frightened, agonized yell.”

The duo, both aged 27, were childhood friends since five, conversing regularly, as per the jury.

She inquired if Ms. Whyte was alright, then heard another cry before quietude.

Three screams were reported in total.

🔴 Weapon Used in Killing Still Missing

Majek additionally pleads not guilty to holding a prohibited item.

Prosecutors noted the injuries resembled those from a Phillips-head screwdriver, which remains unrecovered.

🔴 Overview of the Incident

A female with pulled-back auburn hair in a printed blouse (Image from family/British Transport Police)

Deng Majek, seeking asylum, faces charges for the murder of Rhiannon Whyte, a staff member at his temporary hotel in Walsall, West Midlands.

The 27-year-old Ms. Whyte was located unresponsive at Bescot Stadium train station on October 20, 2024 evening.

Per prosecution at Wolverhampton Crown Court, she suffered 23 screwdriver stabs, including 11 to her head, succumbing in hospital days later.

Majek, asserting he’s 19, refutes the accusations.

The case should span roughly three weeks.

🔴 Today’s Live Updates published at 10:30 BST

Hello, we’re delivering real-time reports from Wolverhampton Crown Court today, covering the trial of a Sudanese asylum applicant charged with murder.

Deng Majek stands accused of knifing 27-year-old Rhiannon Whyte at a Walsall train station last October.

Expect Majek to testify personally today.