Anthony Junior Murray, 25, has been convicted of murdering his sister's boyfriend, Joe Burton, 23, after a pet camera captured the fatal stabbing on New Year's Eve. The incident occurred at Murray's flat in Redvales, Bury, Greater Manchester, following a drink-fuelled evening.
Murder Caught on Camera
The stabbing took place at 11.49pm on 31 December 2025. Murray had set up a camera in his flat to monitor his two dogs, Zarla and Beau Beau. In a 'remarkable stroke of luck', the camera recorded the killing, forcing Murray to eventually admit he stabbed Burton.
Prosecutor Rob Hall told Minshull Street Crown Court: 'On the evening of New Year's Eve 2025, a time that should have been about socialising and welcoming in 2026, in a first floor flat in Bury, this defendant, Anthony Junior Murray, 25, lost his temper and stabbed Joe Burton, 23, the boyfriend of the defendant's sister, to death.'
Details of the Attack
Murray used a combat knife he owned to inflict a single stab wound to Burton's left upper back. The wound penetrated approximately 18cm, nearly the full blade length. The stabbing occurred in the doorway between the corridor and living room.
Burton had an 'on-off' relationship with Murray's sister Kayleigh, described as 'childhood sweethearts' who met at age 13. Their relationship was 'blighted by alcohol abuse on both sides', according to the prosecution. The couple had a child together in 2024.
Events Leading to the Killing
On New Year's Eve, Murray invited Kayleigh to his flat. She arrived with Burton and Murray's friend Wah Tun, 22, around 6pm. By 11.30pm, all had been drinking, with suggestions of drug use. Kayleigh was 'particularly intoxicated' and 'struggling to stand'.
Tensions rose after a fireworks display. Murray and Burton exchanged heated words, with Murray telling Burton 'I'll slit your f***ing throat'. A tussle broke out, and Murray stabbed Burton in the back.
Aftermath and Lies
After the stabbing, Murray did not help Burton or call 999. Instead, he phoned his family and began telling selective lies. When police arrived, he claimed another person had stabbed Burton and that he had been out all day, returning to find Burton bleeding.
Police became suspicious and arrested Murray at 12.30am. Burton was pronounced dead at 12.43am. In subsequent interviews, Murray initially denied involvement but later admitted the knife was his after being shown the pet camera footage.
Trial and Verdict
Murray claimed self-defence, alleging Burton had a knife and that he wrestled it away. He said: 'I didn't mean to stab him. I didn't even know or realise I had done it.' The jury rejected his account and found him guilty of murder by a majority of 11 to 1 after eight hours of deliberation.
Murray, from Tarn Drive, Bury, showed no emotion as the verdict was announced. He is set to be sentenced on 7 August.
