Anthony Junior Murray, 25, allegedly stabbed his sister's boyfriend, 23-year-old Joe Burton, to death on New Year's Eve 2025, then lied to police when they arrived, a murder trial at Minshull Street Crown Court has heard.
Prosecutor Rob Hall told jurors that a mix of 'intoxication, lateness of the hour' and tensions between the Murray and Burton families preceded the alleged murder. The stabbing occurred at a flat on Tarn Drive in Redvales, Bury, at 11.49pm on December 31, 2025.
Alleged Stabbing Captured on Dog Camera
In what the prosecution described as a 'remarkable stroke of luck', the stabbing was captured on a camera installed to monitor Murray's two dogs, Zarla and Beau Beau. Jurors were handed the combat knife used in the attack, stored in a safety box, to inspect.
Mr Hall stated: 'The one stab wound that was inflicted with that knife was to Joe Burton's left upper back area. The stab wound penetrated to a depth of approximately 18cm, which is almost to the full extent of the blade of that knife.'
Relationship Background
Joe Burton had been in an 'on-off' relationship with Murray's sister Kayleigh since they were 13, described as 'childhood sweethearts'. The couple had a child together in 2024, but their relationship was 'blighted by alcohol abuse on both sides', according to Mr Hall.
On New Year's Eve, Murray invited Kayleigh to his flat. She attended with Burton and Murray's friend Wah Tun, 22. By 11.30pm, those present had been drinking and 'there was some suggestion that drugs had also been taken', the court heard.
Tensions Escalate
Kayleigh was 'particularly intoxicated' and 'appeared to be struggling to stand'. After letting off fireworks, tensions rose in the flat. Mr Hall said: 'There are a number of things in the mix by this stage, intoxication, lateness of the hour, the state of Kayleigh Murray and the tensions between the Murray family and Joe Burton.'
Jurors heard a series of exchanges. Burton said to the dogs: 'F*** off dog, doing my head in' and 'Shut up Beau I've had enough of you.' Mr Hall noted that 'Joe Burton talking to the dogs in that way did not assist the calmness of Anthony Murray'.
Murray allegedly responded: 'What do you want me to do, put my dogs in a cage for you?' When Burton replied 'No I don't,' Murray said: 'What do you want me to do, you f****** idiot.' He continued: 'Get the f*** out of my house kn******, why should I have to cage my dogs because of you?' and 'I don't give a f***, I never trusted you from day one. I'll slit your f****** throat.'
Burton said: 'I haven't done anything wrong Anthony.' A 'struggle' appeared to occur before Murray stabbed Burton in the back.
Aftermath and Lies to Police
After the stabbing, Murray did not help Burton or call 999. Instead, he phoned his family and began 'selective story telling', which turned into 'out and out lies' when police arrived. Prosecutors said Murray removed the knife and its sheath from the property.
Mr Hall argued: 'The Crown says that Mr Murray's actions and the lies after the stabbing are the clearest evidence that he knew only too well what he had done and the seriousness of the consequences for him if that was discovered.'
Murray's sister called 999 out of concern for him. His family arrived at the flat at 12.06am, with police moments later. At 12.07am, Murray claimed 'another person had stabbed' Burton. He later said he had been 'out all day' and returned to find Burton 'bleeding to death'. He also claimed he didn't know who had been stabbed and suggested it might involve issues with downstairs neighbours.
Police arrested him at 12.30am. Burton was pronounced dead at 12.43am.
Defence Argument
In police interviews, Murray initially denied involvement but later accepted the knife was his. After being shown the dog-camera footage, he said: 'I cannot give an account of what went on in the footage or what I was thinking at the time as I blanked this out.'
Murray's barrister, Bernard Richmond KC, told the jury there would be 'no dispute' that Murray stabbed Burton and caused his death. 'What is going to be in dispute is why,' he said. Murray claims he acted in self-defence or defence of another, and did not intend to cause serious harm or death.
Murray, of Tarn Drive, Bury, denies murder. The trial continues.
