Two men are set to stand trial next month charged with murder following the death of another man in Horfield last summer. Gegin Assad and Ferahg Fukeri appeared at Bristol Crown Court today, Wednesday, January 29, for a pre-trial preparation hearing.
Both men are charged with the murder of Tomasz Stankiewicz on August 21 last year. The 39-year-old Polish man was found with stab wounds in the Filton Avenue area of Horfield.
He was rushed to hospital in the early hours of August 21, but was pronounced dead in hospital. The incident caused Filton Avenue and a number of streets in the area to be cordoned off the following day.
Gegin Asaad, who was 23 at the time and from Horfield, and Feragh Fukeri, a 28-year-old from Lockleaze, were arrested and charged with murder. The pair have pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the murder charge.
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During a hearing at Bristol Crown Court today, preparations were made for what may end up being a three-week trial, starting on February 17. Asaad appeared in court in person, while Fukeri appeared from custody via a videolink for the hour-long hearing.
Both required Kurdish translators to follow proceedings, as the judge, defence and prosecution barristers made sure all had sight in advance of the evidence that will be put before a jury.