Kenny Green committed to stand trial on murder charge

Kenny Green, who is accused of murdering a man at a suspected drug house on Tessier Place in downtown St. John's, will stand trial. 

A preliminary inquiry ended Thursday, as defence lawyer Randy Piercey told provincial court that Green is consenting to move the case to trial. 

Green, 35, was charged in March with second-degree murder in the death of Joey Whalen, 47, who was violently beaten at a house on Tessier Place that neighbours said was involved in the drug trade. 

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary said that Whalen's beating "was not a random act of violence." 

Police have not disclosed what weapons were used in the attack. 

A neighbour told CBC News that Whalen was "coated in blood" when he was carried out of the Tessier Place house on a stretcher. 

Whalen died four days after the assault. 

Meanwhile, a decision is expected Friday on another case involving Green, who is accused of conspiring with fellow inmate Matthew O'Quinn to escape from the Waterford psychiatric hospital last March.