Islington Tribune - News: Music studio murder trial delayed

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Islington Tribune - by DAVID ST GEORGE
Published: 1 June 2007

Music studio murder trial delayed again

Accused ‘unfit to enter any plea’

A MUDER trial has been delayed until the autumn after the Old Bailey heard that psychiatrists need more time to assess the accused man.
Barrington McKenzie, 22, who is charged with the murder of musician and sound engineer Tom Easton, from Bolton Walk, Holloway, made his sixth court appearance this week
Sarah Whitehouse, barrister for the Crown, told the court: “The prosecution are ready to proceed with this case but at present doctors indicate this man is unfit to enter any plea.”
McKenzie, who insists on standing in the dock and has refused legal representation, will be back in court in mid-September.
Judge Brian Barker, QC, told him: “You are not well at the moment and not in a position to be tried.”
Well-spoken McKenzie, of Plaistow, east London, asked: “Can I find out on what basis that decision is made?”
But the judge refused to be drawn into a debate on the accused’s mental state. McKenzie has been on remand for many months since his arrest.
Mr Easton was fatally stabbed at Islington Council-run EC1 Music Project in Old Street in September 15 last year, just days before his 23rd birthday.
Before he left the dock, McKenzie asked: “Will I be forced to take medication?”
Judge Barker replied: “It’s up to you whether you take it or not.”

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