A 15-year-old accused of the murder of a 12-year-old schoolboy is set to face trial in the upcoming year. The young defendant, who was 14 at the time of the alleged incident where Leo Ross was fatally stabbed, was anticipated to enter a plea but refrained from doing so. The trial is now scheduled for February, with the teenager appearing via video link in a grey tracksuit. He is facing charges of murder, three counts of assault, two counts of causing grievous bodily harm, and one count of unlawfully possessing a knife.
The tragic incident occurred when Leo was walking home from school and was stabbed in the stomach. Despite being rushed to the hospital from a riverside path in Trittiford Mill Park, located within Shire Country Park in Hall Green, on January 21 of this year, he could not survive the injuries. At the young age of 12, Leo is believed to be the youngest victim of knife-related violence in the West Midlands.
A student at Christ Church C of E Secondary Academy in Yardley Wood, Birmingham, Leo was remembered fondly by his family as a kind, humorous individual with no inclination towards aggression.
During a court session at Birmingham Crown Court, the defendant, appearing from a young offender institution, engaged in legal discussions with Judge Andrew Smith KC, prosecution KC Rachel Brand, and defense barrister Morgan Pirone. The proceedings led to an adjournment, with plans for a trial before a High Court judge on February 9. Judge Smith addressed the defendant directly, informing him about the upcoming trial proceedings and legal consultations to follow.