Asylum Seeker Accused of Walsall Murder Seen Elated Post-Attack

Published: 15 October 2025. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

An asylum seeker accused of murdering a hotel worker in Walsall was reportedly seen dancing and laughing immediately after the attack, a jury heard during his trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court. Deng Chol Majek, who claims to be 19, is alleged to have stabbed Rhiannon Skye Whyte 23 times with a screwdriver, leaving her to die at the Bescot Stadium railway station on 20 October last year.

Prosecutor Michelle Heeley KC told the court that Majek appeared “clearly excited about what he had done” after fatally wounding Whyte, a 27-year-old hotel worker who had only been employed at the Park Inn for three months. The incident occurred as Whyte’s shift ended at 11 pm, when she was making her way home and speaking on the phone to a friend. Her screams were heard during the call before she was discovered by a train guard on the platform, the court was told.

Opening the case, Heeley explained that Majek had followed Whyte from the hotel to the station, where he allegedly launched the brutal attack. “He followed her down onto the train platform at the Bescot Stadium station and then he attacked her, stabbing her over and over again with a screwdriver,” Heeley said. “He left her bleeding to death and then casually returned to his hotel. We say you can be sure he is guilty of murder.”

Police were able to identify Majek from distinctive clothing captured on CCTV footage during the incident. At his hotel, officers seized several items, including a jacket, a ring, and sandals, all of which were found to have Whyte’s blood on them. Forensic analysis also revealed her DNA under Majek’s fingernails, consistent with her attempts to defend herself during the attack.

Heeley described the sheer violence of the assault, stating that Whyte sustained a total of 23 stab wounds, most of which were to the head, with others to her chest and arm. Eleven of the stab wounds penetrated her skull, with one damaging the brain stem—the injury ultimately causing her death. “There was a lot of blood because of the vicious nature of this attack,” Heeley said.

The motive behind the attack remains unclear. Earlier on the evening of the incident, Majek had allegedly been seen staring at Whyte and a co-worker, though no one could recall any dispute or provocation that would explain his alleged actions. CCTV footage, according to the prosecution, shows Majek lingering in the hotel reception area, repeatedly staring at the victim.

Majek denies charges of murder and possessing an offensive weapon. The trial, which continues this week, has drawn significant attention due to the extreme nature of the alleged attack and the alleged post-crime behaviour described in court.

Heeley told the jury that the CCTV and forensic evidence leave little doubt about the identity of the attacker. “The police were able to review the CCTV very quickly, and they could see the defendant in his distinctive clothing. When they went to the hotel, they found him and his clothes. They seized a number of items, including the jacket that the attacker from the CCTV could be seen wearing. They recovered some jewellery and a pair of sandals. The jacket, a ring, and the sandals had Rhiannon Whyte’s blood on them,” she said.

The prosecution emphasised the calculated and deliberate nature of the alleged crime. “The defendant’s fingernails contained DNA belonging to Rhiannon Whyte. This indicates she tried to fend off her attacker, yet he continued the assault, showing clear intent to cause serious harm or death,” Heeley added.

While investigators have gathered extensive evidence, including CCTV, DNA, and witness accounts, the exact reasons for the alleged attack remain a key focus of the trial. Heeley noted that there was no immediate trigger for the incident that witnesses could identify, making the premeditation element a central point of consideration for the jury.

Legal experts following the case say that the prosecution appears to be relying heavily on physical evidence and surveillance footage to establish Majek’s presence at the scene and the sequence of events leading up to Whyte’s death. The graphic details presented in court have underscored the severity of the alleged crime, highlighting both the violent nature of the attack and the apparent emotional detachment of the accused immediately afterwards.

The trial also touches on broader questions surrounding the treatment of asylum seekers and individuals claiming to be minors in the UK criminal justice system. Majek’s age claim, at 19, will likely be examined alongside other evidence, though legal commentators note that the court will assess his culpability based on the nature and circumstances of the alleged offences.

The incident has shocked the local Walsall community, with many residents expressing concern over safety and security in public spaces. Community leaders have called for increased awareness and vigilance, as well as support for the victim’s family during the ongoing proceedings.

The case is expected to continue for several weeks, with additional witness testimony, forensic reports, and expert analysis yet to be presented. The jury will consider both the physical evidence and the circumstances surrounding the alleged actions of Majek when reaching their verdict.

The prosecution’s opening statements have painted a picture of a violent and seemingly indiscriminate attack, while the defence maintains Majek’s innocence. How the jury interprets the evidence, including the forensic details and CCTV footage, will be central to determining the outcome of this high-profile trial.

As the trial progresses, Wolverhampton Crown Court will hear more about the events leading up to the attack, including the interactions between Majek and Whyte at the Park Inn and any other relevant context. Legal analysts predict that the combination of forensic evidence, eyewitness accounts, and surveillance footage could prove decisive in the case.