A jury heard the "intended target" of the shooting that killed Olivia Pratt-Korbel "had his enemies" and had been shot at before.
Joseph Nee, now 36, was wounded by a gunman who opened fire at 10pm on August 22, as he walked with his friend Paul Abraham, on Kingsheath Avenue, Dovecot. Nee was able to scramble to his feet despite being shot twice, and barged into Olivia's family home after her mum, Cheryl Korbel, 46, heard louds bangs and opened the door.
The gunman continued his pursuit of Nee and fired two shots into the Korbel house, one of which passed through the front door, through Ms Korbel's wrist, and into Olivia's chest. A second shot lodged in the door frame.
READ MORE: Thomas Cashman murder trial resumes as man accused of shooting schoolgirl Olivia Pratt-Korbel
Today a series of agreed facts - pieces of evidence that are not disputed - were read to the jury by prosecutor David McLachlan, KC. He told the jury: "As of August 22, 2022, Joseph Nee and members of his immediate family had their enemies. Mr Nee was the intended target [of the Olivia Pratt-Korbel shooting]."
The court heard there had also been an incident in March, 2018, in which Joseph Nee was shot at by someone. Mr McLachlan added: "The prosecution do not suggest the defendant, Thomas Cashman, was responsible for or involved in the incident in March 2018."
The jury also heard of Nee's previous convictions, recorded between 2001 and 2018, which included two convictions for conspiracy to supply controlled drugs and possession of drugs with intent to supply, burglary, theft, aggravated vehicle taking and a public order offence.
This morning the prosecution concluded its case. Mr McLachlan has told the jury the gunman, who he alleges was Cashman, lay in wait for around half an hour before approaching Nee on Kingsheath Avenue and opening fire. Cashman denies any involvement in the shootings.
CCTV recorded three loud bangs and showed how Nee, struck in the midriff, fell to the ground. However the jury heard he may have been saved by one of the guns, a 9mm handgun, "malfunctioning" as the killer seemed about to finish him off.
Olivia was rushed to nearby Alder Hey Children's Hospital by two police officers who arrived on scene a short time later, but was pronounced dead at 11.24pm that night.
As well as denying Olivia's murder, Cashman denies the attempted murder of Nee, as well as wounding Cheryl Korbel with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm. He also pleaded not guilty to two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, namely a 9mm calibre self-loading pistol and a 0.3 calibre revolver.
Cashman's legal team, headed by Professor John Cooper, KC, will begin outlining its case this afternoon.
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