Deon P. Green, Gleaner Writer
LONDON, England
ONE OF two men accused of killing 18-year-old Anthony Walker with an axe, pleaded guilty as the trial began in the Liverpool Crown Court yesterday.
Prior to the start of the trial 20-year-old Paul Taylor, denied killing Walker near McGoldrick Park in Huyton, Merseyside, on July 29. However, Taylor changed his plea as the trial was about to begin.
The other accused 17-year-old Michael Barton, pleaded not guilty to Anthony's murder at Preston Crown Court on Monday. After Taylor's change of plea, the trial was adjourned until today. The teenager denies a charge of conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm to Anthony and his cousin.
Anthony died in hospital a few hours after he was found with an axe embedded in his skull. Allegations are that Walker, of African descent, was at a bus stop with his white girlfriend and cousin, Marcus Binns where they were taunted with racist abuse.
RUNNING FOR THEIR LIVES
They decided to leave the bus stop and walk through McGoldrick Park. It was there that Walker and his companions were pounced upon. Walker's cousin and girlfriend had to run for their lives.
The trial is being watched internationally, following wide spread protest over the killing.
