Jurors at Liverpool Crown Court have been taken minute by minute through a dad-of-two’s last moments as they prepare to begin deliberations on whether another man is guilty of his murder.
The judge in the case of Adam Fletcher, who is accused of killing Paul Stenson in December last year, has begun summing up the evidence in the case. Fletcher allegedly murdered Mr Stenson on Princess Drive on December 19 - only hours after the two met at a party there.
After an argument between the two turned into a scuffle and they were asked to go outside, Fletcher is said to have grabbed a kitchen knife from inside the home before hiding it behind his back, pulling Mr Stenson towards him and plunging it into his side.
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Prosecutors say that knife wound inflicted “catastrophic” damage, going straight through Mr Stenson’s heart and causing him to bleed to death quickly. They also say Fletcher, 28, tried to dodge justice for days after the killing with the help of his then girlfriend, Susie Lee, ex Demi Walsh and best friend Nathan Finnegan.
Fletcher admits stabbing Paul Stenson but says he acted in self defence and feared his own life was in danger in the moments before he stabbed the dad-of-two. He stands accused of murder and of possessing a bladed article. Lee, Walsh and Finnegan are all accused of assisting an offender, while Lee also faces an additional charge of witness intimidation. The four deny all the charges and are currently on trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
Jurors have heard evidence from a range of witnesses who were at the party as well as from expert witnesses. The trial is now in its fifth week and jurors have heard closing speeches from the prosecution and each of the four barristers representing the defendants.
Earlier this week, Richard Pratt QC urged the twelve jurors in the case to find Fletcher guilty of murder, saying “he knew what he was doing” when he stabbed Mr Stenson. He also said Lee, Walsh and Finnegan were instrumental in helping him avoid arrest. Yesterday, Peter Finnegan QC said Fletcher had maintained from the outset that he acted in self defence and that he truly believed his life was in danger. Mr Finnegan and barristers for Lee, Walsh and Finnegan urged jurors to find their clients not guilty.
Today, Judge Brian Cummings QC began summing up the evidence jurors have heard before they begin their negotiations. This afternoon they were reminded of the evidence from numerous eyewitnesses who were at the party and will hear further summing up tomorrow. They are expected to begin their negotiations later in the week.
Proceeding
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