A Sudanese asylum seeker, Deng Chol Majek, has been convicted of murdering a hotel worker in a violent incident at a railway station platform. The victim, identified as Ms. Whyte, was fatally stabbed 23 times in the head on October 20 last year at the Park Inn hotel in Walsall. The attack occurred as Ms. Whyte was waiting for a train home after work around 11:15 pm. During the trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court, CCTV footage was presented showing Majek interacting with Ms. Whyte before the assault.
Majek was observed following Ms. Whyte to Bescot Stadium station and then leaving the platform. Subsequently, he was seen socializing with friends near the hotel. Witnesses noted a change in Majek’s demeanor, describing him as more content and lively in the aftermath of the incident. Video evidence displayed Majek dancing with friends as he returned to his hotel room.
Throughout the trial, Majek denied the charges against him, including murder and possession of a screwdriver at the scene. He claimed to have been outside the hotel during the attack, attributing any discrepancies in his information to errors in official documents. An interpreter assisted in translating Majek’s statements during the court proceedings.
In a statement, Senior Investigator DCI Paul Attwell condemned the brutal and senseless attack, expressing sympathy for the victim’s family. Despite the guilty verdict, he acknowledged the enduring pain and suffering endured by Ms. Whyte’s loved ones. DCI Attwell commended the family for their resilience and grace during the investigation, emphasizing the importance of honoring Ms. Whyte’s memory and legacy.