EXMOUTH, England — Jurors in the murder trial of five men accused of killing Denva Smith wrapped up evidence phase Thursday when two defendants chose not to take the stand.

Thomas Ward, 24, of Russell Walk in Exeter; Zac Davies, 24, of Hawthorn Grove in Exmouth; Dylan Chadwick, 23, of Cambourne Avenue in St Helens; Ben Mason, 24, of no fixed address in Exmouth; and Ben Helliker, 26, of Halsdon Road in Exmouth each pleaded not guilty to murder charges at Exeter Crown Court.

Andrew Langdon KC, representing Mason, told the court his client would not give evidence. Langdon read a statement from Mason’s former employer, a trawler captain, who described him as “polite, friendly and keen to learn.” Sandip Patel KC, defending Helliker, said he would call no evidence for his client.

Davies, Chadwick and Ward testified earlier in their defense. Ward admitted stabbing Smith during a brief scuffle but denied planning the attack. He told jurors he and Smith had been best friends as teenagers before a falling out tied to drug-dealing rivalries and prior violence.

Chadwick said he and Mason chased Smith into a garden on Ashfield Close but lost sight of him and stopped pursuing.

Prosecutors allege all five defendants held grudges against Smith and intended serious harm. The fatal encounter unfolded shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Dinan Way, according to trial testimony. Smith walked with a friend when he spotted the group. He fled down a grassy embankment.

Ward said he climbed the bank and confronted Smith seconds later. A blade severed an artery in Smith’s arm. He staggered into the Ashfield Close garden, spraying blood on parked cars and leaving a handprint nearby. Neighbors heard his cries, dialed 999 and summoned paramedics. Efforts to save him failed as he bled out.

Prosecution evidence included doorbell footage, audio recordings, phone data, DNA traces and witness accounts of people running in the street.

Mr Justice Garnham adjourned proceedings until Monday. Jurors will then receive his legal directions before hearing closing arguments from prosecution and defense lawyers.

The case has revealed tensions from threats, revenge vows and street confrontations. Mason reportedly sought payback after earlier clashes with Smith. Ward described no premeditation, calling the stabbing a split-second reaction.