A 20-YEAR-OLD has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a man found dead in a Tenbury Wells street earlier this year.
But Ben Murphy denied the more serious charge of murdering Adrian Palmer and will face trial by jury at Worcester Crown Court on February 26 next year.
Mr Palmer, aged 21, of Bromyard Road, Tenbury, was found dead near the town's post office in the early hours of May 20.
Murphy, of Kyreside, Tenbury, wore a white shirt and dark trousers for the 15-minute hearing. He was remanded in custody.
Judge Alistair McCreath, who is scheduled to take the trial - estimated to last 10 to 14 days - gave the prosecution until November 3 to serve the rest of their evidence. He also extended Murphy's custody time limits until March 2.
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