Vigil in memory of teenager stabbed to death

Around 100 people attended a vigil in memory of a teenager stabbed to death in Birmingham.

Dea-John Reid, 14, was “stalked” by a group shouting racist slurs and attacked following a confrontation over a bag in May 2021, jurors were told at a trial there at two years old.

A 15-year-old boy was found guilty of manslaughter, while four others were acquitted of murder.

The vigil, held in College Road, Kingstanding, near where Dea-John was stabbed, was part of a campaign calling for jury reform.

Dea-John was a promising footballer who wanted to become a dentist, but died after being chased through the streets of Kingstanding.

The vigil was organized with the help of community activist Bishop Desmond Jaddoo.

He said activists wanted, in cases where race was an issue, for juries to be better balanced.

“The jury needs to reflect the demographics, which was not the case in this case, and also broaden the whole aspect of jury selection and civic involvement,” he said.

The convicted teenager was cleared of murder, but found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to six and a half years in prison.

The jury at Birmingham Crown Court was made up of 11 white people and one person of South Asian origin.

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X, And InstagramSend your story ideas to: [email protected]

Learn more about this story