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24 January 2011
Last updated at 01:54 ET
The trial is due to begin of a man accused of stabbing to death a Welsh fitness instructor while he was on holiday in the US in 2007.
Lavern Ritch, 37, from Penarth, was killed when he went to help a stranger who was being beaten up outside a New Jersey bar.
Robert Davies, 49, denies murder, aggravated manslaughter, and weapons offences.
Jury selection is to begin at the Mays Landing Criminal Courts of New Jersey.
Mr Ritch had been voted one of the most eligible bachelors in the UK.
He was attacked outside a bar in Margate, a popular tourist area, while on a night out with friends in August 2007.
He was pronounced dead in hospital shortly afterwards.
Medical examiners confirmed he died from a single stab wound to heart.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
Mr Ritch, who worked as a personal fitness instructor and swimming coach at a Cardiff sports centre, was considering moving to America.
His brother and sister are flying out to America later this week for the trial. They have been writing an impact statement to read to the court.
Venetta Ritch-Shapland said: "It's important that the court has a true picture of my brother, mainly because I want his character to come across and his love of life.
"And he would have done anything to help anyone in distress. And I think that's important that his whole character comes across in America."
'True picture'
In Cardiff, his father Louis Llewellyn Ritch said the family are still struggling to come to terms with his senseless death.
"It's hard. I don't think you'll ever get over it because he was such a good son," he said.
"He cares for people, he loves people.
"He leaves behind a lot of love - from his friends, his work, and his family generally. He was a nice guy, nice son."
Mr Ritch's sister Venetta Ritch-Shapland said: "It's important that the court has a true picture of my brother, mainly because I want his character to come across and his love of life.
"And he would have done anything to help anyone in distress. And I think that's important that his whole character comes across in America."
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Lavern Ritch, 37, from Penarth, was killed when he went to help a stranger who was being beaten up outside a New Jersey bar.
Robert Davies, 49, denies murder, aggravated manslaughter, and weapons offences.
Jury selection is to begin at the Mays Landing Criminal Courts of New Jersey.
Mr Ritch had been voted one of the most eligible bachelors in the UK.
He was attacked outside a bar in Margate, a popular tourist area, while on a night out with friends in August 2007.
He was pronounced dead in hospital shortly afterwards.
Medical examiners confirmed he died from a single stab wound to heart.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
It's hard. I don't think you'll ever get over it because he was such a good son”
End Quote
Louis Llewellyn Ritch
Father
Mr Ritch, who worked as a personal fitness instructor and swimming coach at a Cardiff sports centre, was considering moving to America.
His brother and sister are flying out to America later this week for the trial. They have been writing an impact statement to read to the court.
Venetta Ritch-Shapland said: "It's important that the court has a true picture of my brother, mainly because I want his character to come across and his love of life.
"And he would have done anything to help anyone in distress. And I think that's important that his whole character comes across in America."
'True picture'
In Cardiff, his father Louis Llewellyn Ritch said the family are still struggling to come to terms with his senseless death.
"It's hard. I don't think you'll ever get over it because he was such a good son," he said.
"He cares for people, he loves people.
"He leaves behind a lot of love - from his friends, his work, and his family generally. He was a nice guy, nice son."
Mr Ritch's sister Venetta Ritch-Shapland said: "It's important that the court has a true picture of my brother, mainly because I want his character to come across and his love of life.
"And he would have done anything to help anyone in distress. And I think that's important that his whole character comes across in America."
Business | Christians | Coupons | Discussions | Gamers
Legal | Politics | Sports | Teens | Webmasters