The 20 year old from Salford in Manchester, real name Kiaran Stapleton, has been accused of murdering the student in cold blood the day after Christmas. He stood up in court wearing handcuffs and stated his name as “Psycho. Psycho Stapleton.” to a crowded court full of reporters. Stapleton is said to be claiming to be mentally unstable.
He was remanded in custody for 24 hours at City of Manchester Magistrate’s Court for the apparent motiveless murder. Bidve was reportedly approached by two white men whilst heading to Manchester city centre from his hotel with a group of fellow Indian students. He was asked the time by one of the men, and when he didn’t reply one of the men took out a handgun and shot him in the head. Some reports have referred to an unaccompanied lone gunman.
The alleged killer did not make an application for bail. The police have categorised the murder as a race hate crime.
Candlelight vigils by shocked members of the community in Manchester and also in Bidve’s home city of New Delhi have been taking place over the last few days.
