TWO teenagers are to face trial in the summer accused of murdering Colchester rapper Thomas Brittain.
Andre Vella and Jack Hummerstone denied a joint murder charge when they appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court.
The two 18-year-olds also denied posessing a firearm with intent to commit murder and a third charge of wounding a Matthew Purvis with intent on the same date.
Vella, of Village Way, Kirby Cross, spoke only to confirm his name and plead not guilty the charges.
Hummerstone, of London, also only spoke to deny the charges.
The court heard their trial is set to start on Monday August 19 and is expected to last for two weeks.
They were both remanded in custody until then. There was no application for bail.
A provisional post-mortem examination on 26-year-old Mr Brittain revealed the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest.
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