Jurors hearing evidence in the trial of a man accused of murdering Olivia Pratt-Korbel were today told the alleged target of the shooting Joseph Nee was left with "potentially life threatening injuries".
The court previously heard the gunman was chasing 36-year-old Nee, who barged through the front door of the Korbel family home while fleeing for his life. Olivia died on August 22 last year after a bullet passed through the front door of her home, on Kingsheath Avenue in Dovecot, hit her mum, Cheryl Korbel, in the hand and then struck her in the chest.
Thomas Cashman has returned to the dock at Manchester Crown Court today after being charged with the nine-year-old's murder. The 34-year-old, of Grenadier Drive in West Derby, pleaded not guilty to murdering Olivia back in December.
READ MORE: Thomas Cashman murder trial resumes as man accused of shooting schoolgirl Olivia Pratt-Korbel
David McLachlan, KC, prosecuting, 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.
Junior counsel Henry Riding, who is assisting Mr McLachlan, today told jurors of the injuries Nee sustained. He told the court Nee was transferred to Aintree Hospital from Whiston Hospital where he attended and was treated for gunshot wounds.
He suffered an 8cm laceration to his scalp, a small haemorrhage, a “through and through” wound in the right upper arm, a 5mm “likely entry wound” to the chest, a fractured rib, a “grade two” cardiac injury, “extensive pulmonary contusions” to both lungs, a collection of air and blood in both chest cavities.
Mr Riding said of this last injury: “This was considered to be a significant injury, potentially life-threatening.”
Nee also sustained a 5mm entry wound in the abdomen, a “through and through” wound to the colon, a 3cm laceration in the bladder, a deep fracture of the coccyx or tailbone and “metallic foreign bodies” within soft tissues and muscles. A medical report said he was “expected to make a full recovery” but required further surgery.
The report said Nee may be left with “reduced lung capacity” but it would not affect his ability to function.
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.
Jurors have been told they must decide on the evidence whether Cashman was the gunman who fired those shots at the three victims.
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