Four deny murder of teenager Tristan Kerr
Family photoFour people have denied the murder of a 17-year-old.
Ricardo Elliot, 27, Connor Palfrey, 24, Elexi Manny, 24, and Georgie Mears, 18, each pleaded not guilty to the murder of Tristan Kerr, at Merthyr Crown Court.
Emergency services were called to a property in Abertridwr, Caerphilly, at around 17.45 GMT on 5 February this year following reports a teenage boy had sustained a serious injury.
Kerr was allegedly killed with a zombie knife "nine to 10 inches (23-25cm) long", and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The four defendants appeared in court on Friday for a plea and trial preparation hearing and spoke only to confirm their names, dates of birth, addresses and enter their pleas.
A trial date for 3 August with a time estimate of six weeks was previously set by Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, the Recorder of Cardiff. A pre-trial review hearing will take place on 24 July.
Palfrey, of Abertridwr, and Elliot, Manny and Mears, all with no fixed addresses, were all remanded into custody.
Tristan Kerr's family paid tribute to him following his death, calling him a "deeply loved son, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend".
The tribute described him as "quick-witted, with a passion for motorbikes and adventure".
"He had a spark about him that drew people in, and an energy that filled every room he entered," it read.
