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Man to plea in tourist stabbing Man denies killing Welsh tourist
(about 9 hours later)
A man is expected to appear in an American court over the death of a fitness instructor from south Wales. A man accused of murdering a Cardiff fitness instructor while on holiday in America has denied killing him when he appeared in a New Jersey court.
Lavern Ritch, 37, from Penarth, in the Vale of Glamorgan, was killed after intervening in a street fight while on holiday in New Jersey. Robert Davies, 47, allegedly stabbed Lavern Ritch once in the chest before fleeing the scene of a disagreement.
Robert Davies, 47, is expected to enter pleas to charges of murder, aggravated manslaughter and weapons offences. Ritch, 37, of Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, was pronounced dead at the hospital shortly afterwards.
In August Mr Davies was indicted by a grand jury in New Jersey in connection with the fatal stabbing in Margate. Mr Davies, who also denies aggravated manslaughter, manslaughter and weapons charges, will reappear on September 29.
The indictment, was handed up to superior court judge James Isman after the grand jury considered the evidence presented by a prosecutor in Atlantic County. Mr Ritch who was once voted one of UK's most eligible bachelors, was stabbed when he intervened in a street fight.
Robert Davies has been charged with aggravated manslaughter Mr Davies appeared at the Atlantic County Superior court in New Jersey on Thursday.
It is alleged Mr Davies became involved in a disagreement with an individual on 12 August 2007 near Maynard's Café in Margate. Judge Albert J Garofolo ordered Davies, who waived a reading of the charges and entered a plea of not guilty, to next appear in court on 29 September, Atlantic County assistant prosecutor William Merz said.
The disagreement resulted in Mr Davies being struck. He was remanded in custody in lieu of 500,000 US dollars (£281,400) bail.
It is further alleged that Mr Ritch, who was not involved in the disagreement, attempted to break up the fight. US prosecutors have said Mr Ritch was stabbed once in the chest as he attempted to break up a fight between Mr Davies and another individual near Maynard's Cafe in Margate while on a night out with friends on August 12 last year.
Mr Davies allegedly stabbed Mr Ritch, who was on a night out with friends, once in the chest before fleeing the scene. Mr Ritch was pronounced dead at a hospital shortly after the stabbing.
Mr Ritch was pronounced dead at hospital shortly after the stabbing, said assistant prosecutor William Merz, who presented the case to the grand jury.
Mr Davies was arrested and charged on 23 August 2007 with the killing.