THE trial of two teenagers accused of murdering a man at a flat in Colchester is due to start next month.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard yesterday the trial of Andre Vella and Jake Hummerstone may last slightly longer than the two weeks scheduled.
The teenagers deny murdering Thomas Brittain at Charles House in Colchester’s Parkside Quarter on Saturday, March 9 this year.
Vella, 19, of Village Way, Kirby Cross, and Hummerstone, 18, from Clerkenwell, London, also deny possessing a firearm with intent to commit murder and a third charge of wounding a Matthew Purvis on the same date.
The court heard how the firearm charge had been reviewed by the prosecution and a decision had been taken to change it.
A new charge of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or violence will be put to the two teenagers when they next appear in court.
They were not in court for the latest hearing and remain in custody.
A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Brittain, 26, died of a stab wound to the chest.
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