Malwal Aweng to face trial for murder and intentionally causing injury at Supreme Court

A man accused of the stabbing murder of a stranger in Melbourne’s north west has been committed for trial in the Supreme Court.

Mayiik Ring, 32, died on December 30, 2022, after he was allegedly stabbed during an "altercation" in Melbourne's northwest. Picture: Facebook.

A man accused of being involved in the brutal stabbing death of a stranger after a violent altercation in Melbourne’s northwest has been committed for trial in the Supreme Court.

Malwal Aweng, 23, fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday for the second day of a two-day committal hearing, where the 23-year-old faced charges of murder and intentionally causing injury over an alleged stabbing attack in St Albans in 2022.

Mr Aweng is accused of murdering Mayiik Ring, 32, on December 30, 2022 in St Albans, where police allege that Mr Ring was attacked by a violent group of men and stabbed.

Mr Ring was found a short time later near St Albans Rd and was rushed to hospital, but later died.

In the first day of the committal hearing, the court heard a child witness “didn’t want to tell the truth” when he was being sworn in.

On Friday, the court got an answer as to why he didn’t want to be honest.

Mr Aweng pleaded not guilty to the 2022 stabbing murder of Mr Ring on Friday February 2, 2024. Picture: Supplied

Informant Detective Senior Constable Kate Lynch cleared up the mystery, saying the witness had been apprehensive about sharing his evidence with the magistrate due to concerns that he might get into trouble over another matter.

Sen-Constable Lynch answered further questions regarding three statements by witness Kuol Wal, which were also heard in the first day of the hearing.

Magistrate Kieran Gilligan deemed there to be enough evidence for a jury to hear the case and therefore committed Mr Aweng to stand trial in the Supreme Court.

In court on Friday, Mr Aweng pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder and intentionally causing injury.

He was remanded in custody for a directions hearing in the Supreme Court on February 14, 2024 and there was no application for bail.

Mr Aweng was arrested and charged in Mernda three days after the stabbing.

Police intend to use CCTV and forensic material as evidence in the case.