A 17-year-old boy has pleaded not guilty to the New Year’s Eve murder of Harry Pitman in north London.
Harry Pitman, 16, was stabbed to death shortly before midnight as he watched fireworks with friends at Primrose Hill Park in Camden.
The teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, made the plea at the Old Bailey on Tuesday.
He spoke calmly, confirmed his identity and pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, which also included possession of an offensive weapon.
In court, an emotional family member of one victim cried loudly and then apologized for their outburst as the victim denied murder.
At a hearing in January, the court heard the stabbing occurred during “some sort of altercation” as a crowd gathered to watch fireworks.
The source added that Harry was stabbed with a “hunting-style” knife “within yards of the apparent presence of emergency services personnel.”
He was given first aid by nearby police before paramedics arrived, but he died at the scene shortly before midnight.
Harry was one of 21 teenagers killed in violence in London last year, 18 of whom were stabbed.
The defendants will go on trial starting on September 2 and are expected to take six weeks.
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