A MAN facing life behind bars for the murder of Adrian Locke, who was stabbed to death in a Worcester flat, has appeared in court as his lawyers fight to clear his name.
But Rikko Marks, 22, of no fixed abode, faces an anxious wait to learn his fate after three of the country's top judges today (Tuesday) opted to reserve their decision on his appeal until a later date.
Marks was jailed with his friend, Micah Golding, for the knife murder of 39-year-old Mr Locke in Teme Road, Tolladine, in January 2013.
He was not accused of wielding the knife, but of lending support and encouragement as Golding stabbed Mr Locke.
Mr Locke, of Wyche Road, Droitwich, was knifed several times and found dead outside a flat allegedly used for drug dealing.
Prosecutors claimed he had gone there to buy heroin and was killed when a scuffle broke out in the property. Marks denied any involvement in the killing.
Today at London's Criminal Court of Appeal, Adrian Keeling QC, for Marks, argued his murder conviction was "unsafe" and should be overturned.
The judge should have left it open to jurors to convict Marks of manslaughter instead, he argued.
Mr Keeling said the 'thrust' of the prosecution case was that Golding summoned Marks to the scene as support.
After the confrontation between Golding and Mr Locke developed, witnesses heard Marks saying, 'stop that, stop that, there is no need for this'.
The QC said the trial judge should have 'de-linked' Golding from Marks and told jurors that they could find Golding guilty of murder and Marks of manslaughter.
However, John McGuinness QC, for the Crown, said there was a 'strong case' against Marks.
He told the court: "This is a case where the court can be satisfied that the conviction is safe".
Lady Justice Macur, Mr Justice Walker and Judge Martyn Zeidman QC reserved their decision on Marks' appeal until a later date.
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