Two men accused of murdering 24-year-old Ernest Kalawa on a Peckham estate in December have pleaded not guilty at The Old Bailey.
Klark Mangal, 21, and Derron Campbell, 23, are accused of fatally stabbing Ernest Kalawa multiple times on December 30.
Mr Kalawa died at the scene in Haymerle Road, with knife wounds to his head, legs and chest. It is understood that he lived locally.
Mangal and Campbell both denied murder when they appeared in court on Monday.
Mangal admitted doing acts tending to pervert the course of justice between December 30 and January 7.
He admitted asking a friend to move his Vauxhall Astra which was said to be involved in the killing, before torching the vehicle himself.
After his death, Mr Kalawa’s family said in a statement: “Ernest’s tragic death is a massive loss to the family.
“Everyone is in shock and struggling to come to terms with the loss of our son, brother, cousin, and friend. At the moment the pain is still very fresh.
“Our family only really want time and space to grieve in private, and ask that the press and media respect our wishes. Ernest was loved and cherished and we all miss him deeply.”
A shrine of flowers and a circle of candles were left for Mr Kalawa at the place where he died.
Three young men who spoke to the News as they paid their respects by lighting candles, said: “He was cherished. He was a good guy, and very much loved”.
Campbell, of Kidderminster Road, Croydon, and Mangal, of Nazareth Gardens, Peckham, were remanded in custody ahead of their trial fixed for July 3.
The trial is estimated to last three weeks.