Djeison Rafael appeared at Birmingham Crown Court accused of murdering 34-year-old Katie Fox, who was stabbed on Smallbrook Queensway in a random attack shortly before 9pm on November 7.
Katie, from Northfield, was taken to hospital with a serious neck injury but died of her injuries.
Wearing a grey jumper, Rafael, aged 21, from Smethwick, appeared via video link from HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire. He spoke only to confirm his name during the 15-minute hearing in front of Judge Simon Drew KC.
He sat forward during the hearing, getting up briefly at one point before returning to his seat.
As well as the murder of Ms Fox, Rafael, of Rosedale Avenue in Smethwick, is also charged with two counts of causing actual bodily harm to Mariamo Sow on October 27 and to Hailing Du on November 7, possession of a Stanley blade on November 7 and assaulting a detention escort officer on November 8.
Prosecution counsel Michael Brady KC said the trial, expected to last two weeks, would be heard in front of a high court judge and a date was set for May 5.
The court heard psychiatric reports would need to be gathered before the trial begins.
Rafael was told by the judge he would next need to appear to enter pleas.
The judge said: “Mr Rafael, I am adjourning your case and it will next be listed on January 16.
“You can attend by prison video link from whatever prison you are in. I know you have recently been transferred.
“We will see you on that date. Thank you very much, that is the end of the hearing.”
Rafael did not respond before the prison video link was ended.
West Midlands Police issued a plea for information from anyone who knows more about what happened or the movements of Rafael, who they described as a black British national.
They believe he was wearing an all-grey tracksuit, black hat, trainers and rucksack on Friday evening.