A Waterford man stabbed another man seven times in the neck, body and chest after intervening in a "tussle" over a CD, the Central Criminal Court was told yesterday.
Anthony Stone (21), of Ardmore Park, Ballybeg, Waterford, has pleaded not guilty to the murder of Simon Carton at a flat at Barrack Street, Waterford city, on September 8th last year. Earlier he admitted the manslaughter of Mr Carton, but this has not been accepted by the State.
Opening the case for the prosecution, Edward Comyn SC said the accused had gone to Mr Carton's Barrack Street apartment on Tuesday, September 7th, 2004, along with another man James Halligan.
Both the accused and Mr Halligan had "taken some drink" earlier that day, and eaten dinner before catching a bus into the city where they drank some beer at the People's Park. The pair then went to Mr Carton's house where they listened to music, smoked and had some more beer.
Mr Comyn said the night started out as a "perfectly ordinary, peaceful situation" until Mr Carton said he was going out, which meant that the party was over. Mr Halligan then asked the victim if he could borrow one of his CDs, which Mr Carton "quite politely" refused.
This was then taken as a "snub" and a tussle ensued between Mr Carton and Mr Halligan. The accused man was not involved but, Mr Comyn alleged, he then produced a knife and repeatedly stabbed Mr Carton who died the following morning in hospital.
The trial continues.