Man Convicted of Murdering Hotel Worker at Walsall Railway Station

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Man Convicted of Murdering Hotel Worker at Walsall Railway Station

A man has been convicted of murdering a hotel worker at Walsall’s Bescot Stadium railway station. Deng Chol Majek, an asylum seeker from Sudan, killed 27-year-old Rhiannon Skye Whyte on October 20, 2024.

Details of the Attack

The incident occurred while Majek was staying at the Park Inn hotel in Walsall. The jury took slightly over two hours to reach a unanimous verdict during the trial held at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

Frenzied Assault

During the proceedings, prosecutors described the attack as “vicious and frenzied.” Majek stabbed Whyte 23 times using a screwdriver, with 11 wounds penetrating her skull.

Eyewitness Accounts

Witnesses contributed important testimonies. Emma Cowley, a friend of Whyte’s, described her phone call with Whyte, which turned from a normal conversation to screams of terror. “I heard a high-pitched, terrified scream,” Cowley recounted.

Evidence Against Majek

Multiple pieces of evidence linked Majek to the crime. Items seized from him, including a jacket, a ring, and sandals, were found to have Whyte’s blood. DNA from under Majek’s fingernails also belonged to the victim. CCTV footage captured Majek following Whyte to the railway station.

Aftermath of the Attack

Evidence presented showed Majek discarding Whyte’s phone into the River Tame after the murder. Following this, he was seen buying beer and returning to the hotel, seemingly unconcerned. Footage displayed him drinking and dancing in the hotel car park while emergency services responded to the scene.

Majek’s Defense

Throughout the trial, Majek claimed he was not responsible for the murder. He maintained that he had been outside the hotel during the attack and denied any intent to harm Whyte. He also discussed his journey from Sudan to the UK, citing a mistake on his identity document regarding his age.

Reactions to the Verdict

Following the conviction, Carla Harris, a senior crown prosecutor, expressed the tragic loss of Rhiannon Whyte. “She should have been able to go to work and return home safely,” Harris stated. The prosecution emphasized the overwhelming evidence that led to Majek’s guilty verdict.