One of the two men who attempted to rob, kidnap, and murder British soul singer Joss Stone back in June has pled not guilty to the charges this morning. This, perhaps, is unsurprising; but given the profound weirdness of the crime, I think it’s worth noting.

According to the BBC, Kevin Liverpool and Junior Bradshow were both charged with conspiracy to murder, conspiracy to commit robbery, and conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm after they were caught outside Joss’s home in Collumpton, England over the summer. Now, here’s the really weird part. According to TMZ, when the men were arrested, the police found the following items in their car: Maps, aerial photos of Joss’s house, rope, a body bag… and a samurai sword.

Let me repeat that: A SAMURAI SWORD. Well, as far as murder conspiracies go, I kind of have to give them points for creativity, even if they’re batshit crazy.

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Liverpool was the one who pled not guilty, along with denying conspiracy to harm and rob Joss. Bradshaw appeared in court for the same charges, but hasn’t yet entered a plea.

Now, I’d like to ask you all this: Does the fact that Liverpool is pleading not guilty strike anyone else as a tad bit brazen? I mean, unless he and Bradshaw have got a reeeeeeally interesting explanation as to why their car was full of the things that were found in it (sorry, I have to say it again: THEY FOUND A KATANA IN THE CAR), it’s not looking too good for them. Maybe that’s why Bradshaw hasn’t entered a plea yet.

Anyway, the men were remanded in custody and the case was adjourned until December, so it’ll be a few months before we see the next step in this strange and tawdry tale. Joss, meanwhile, has been a busy girl; in the months since the incident, she’s released a solo album called LP1, an album as part of the supergroup SuperHeavy, and she’s got two albums called LP2 and The Soul Sessions 2 set for release in early 2012. Keep calm and carry on, eh, Joss?

Lucia Peters is BettyConfidential’s associate editor.

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