Murdoch Brown murder trial: 'Victim stabbed over brother's £290 drug debt'

Murdoch Brown, 31, was stabbed in the leg three times in Buffett Way, Colchester, in May 2019. 

A murder trial is underway at Chelmsford Crown Court.

Giving evidence on Wednesday, Mr Brown's brother Robert said the pair travelled from Braintree to Colchester on the night of the attack.

Mr Brown said he had travelled with his brother, Murdoch Brown, 31, and he had to “sort some money out” as part of a drug debt.

Mr Brown said he owed £290 to a drug dealer he knew as JR.

He said his brother had decided to come with him “to make sure he was alright.”

The court heard after the pair arrived at Colchester North Station, they began their walk towards the Greenstead estate, stopping at a McDonald’s on the way.

Mr Brown confirmed he then intended to get some drugs before the two brothers visited a friend’s address in Greenstead, where they were to stay for the night.

He said he made a phone call to JR and a meeting was arranged on the estate. 

The two brothers walked to Greenstead and waited in Avon Way, at the junction with Buffett Way.

Mr Brown said “two lads” appeared around the corner.

Read more:

• 'Stabbing victim tried to help brother with drug debt'
• Murdoch Brown murder: Brother describes the moment he saw a knife

He identified one of the individuals as a male he knew only as “Jack”, and the other as a young, black male he did not know, aged around 17.

“Jack said ‘come on, let’s go’, and gestured for us to come down Buffett Way,” he said.

Mr Brown said he explained to “Jack” he had been unable to pay his debt as as he had been in hospital for “a couple of days.”

He told the jury he handed over hospital paperwork as “proof”, before requesting £20 worth of crack cocaine and heroin.

It was then that Mr Brown claims he saw “Jack” produce a knife from his sleeve.
He describes grappling with “Jack”, and said he and his brother ran away from the scene in different directions.

As he stumbled and fell, he heard his brother shout “leave it out, that’s enough.”

Murdoch Brown died after he was stabbed three times in Buffett Way, Colchester, on May 7, 2019.

Investigation: The scene of a murder probe in Buffett Way, Colchester, in May 2019

Three people were charged with murdering Mr Brown, 31, and are standing trial.

Toyn Williams, 29, of Winchester Road, Hale End, in East London, Jay Dice, 23, of Mayville, Leyonstone, and Reece McHutcherson, 20, of Pillow Way, Buckingham, deny the charge of murder.

Williams, Dice and McHutcherson also deny attempted wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm to Robert Brown.

Kaley Hodgkinson, 31, of Charles Pell Road, Colchester, is also standing trial, charged with assisting an offender.

Hodgkinson, Dice and McHutcherson are also charged with perverting the course of justice.

After he recounted the moment he and his brother were attacked by two men, Robert Brown told the jury he was approached on two occasions and warned against speaking out about the case.

Giving evidence in the witness box, he said he was first approached “quite a few months ago” in Braintree town, at the back of a Tesco store.

Mr Brown said he recognised both individuals and said they called him over by name.

“I can’t remember exactly what was said, but basically it was along the lines of not coming to court and not giving evidence in this case,” he said.

Mr Brown said he called the police after he was approached for a second time in Peel Crescent, Braintree, and asked whether he would be going to court.