False Murder Accusations: Clearing the Shadows of a Misunderstood Death

Our defence solicitors represented a client in a highly complex and serious case where she was charged with murder. On a tragic night, our client made a frantic call to the ambulance service, reporting that her partner had been injured. Upon arrival at the scene, the paramedics pronounced her partner dead from a stab wound to the leg. Shockingly, despite her distressed state and the absence of any immediate evidence against her, the police quickly targeted and arrested her for his murder. During the police interview, she denied any involvement, asserting that her partner must have inflicted the wound upon himself. Our client had no previous convictions or cautions and was profoundly deaf and suffered from mental health illnesses, making her particularly vulnerable. The accusation of murder could have irrevocably altered her life, leaving her with a criminal record and significant social stigma.

When our criminal defence solicitors took over the case, we recognized the importance of a comprehensive and meticulous defence. We immediately instructed a psychiatrist and psychologist to assess her mental state and vulnerabilities. Communication was challenging as our client experienced voluntary mutism, necessitating the use of handwritten notes. We also engaged an intermediary and a speech and language therapist to ensure her effective participation in her defence.

We scrutinised the Crown’s evidence, which included a pathologist’s opinion that the wound was not typical of self-harm and seemed more consistent with an inflicted injury, possibly involving murder. To counter this, we instructed our own pathologist to review the post-mortem findings and a blood pattern analyst to analyse the scene photographs. Their insights were crucial in constructing an alternative narrative. We uncovered an extensive history of self-harm and violence between the parties, supported by previous arrests and phone records. Despite the atypical nature of the wound, we demonstrated that the events of that night, while unusual, were not implausible given the couple’s tumultuous relationship, and did not necessarily indicate murder.

In court, we presented a compelling defence that highlighted the inconsistencies and gaps in the prosecution’s case. Our evidence illustrated that the victim was alive and responsive for several hours after the injury, which contradicted the notion of an immediate fatal attack by our client. After carefully considering the evidence, the jury acquitted our client of both murder and manslaughter, thanks to the diligent work of our criminal defence solicitors, allowing her to rebuild her life free from the burden of wrongful conviction. The expert efforts of our defence solicitors in challenging the prosecution’s case were pivotal in demonstrating that our client was not guilty of murder. 

If you or someone you know is in a similar situation, please don’t hesitate to contact us now. We’re here to help defend your rights and protect your interests. Afraid you can’t cover legal fees? Don’t be – we work with Legal Aid. Call us today for a free no-obligation consultation.