What ever happened to the Long Marston "Murder"
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What ever happened to the Long Marston "Murder"
Does anyone know what happened about the incident early last year where a hunt supporter was killed by a gyrocopter at Long Marston and the pilot was charged with murder?
It seems to have gone very quiet and there was me thinking justice must be seen to be done.
It seems to have gone very quiet and there was me thinking justice must be seen to be done.
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Birmingham Mail - News - Top Stories - Man in court over gyrocopter murder of hunt supporter at Long Marston airfield
Is the last reference I can find. That was almost a year ago now so I would assume that there is either a trial ongoing or it has ended already.
Sorry correction, forget the above I've found something more recent...
Birmingham Post - News - West Midlands News - Warwickshire man denies killing hunt supporter
Sounds like his trial starts on Monday.
Is the last reference I can find. That was almost a year ago now so I would assume that there is either a trial ongoing or it has ended already.
Sorry correction, forget the above I've found something more recent...
Birmingham Post - News - West Midlands News - Warwickshire man denies killing hunt supporter
Sounds like his trial starts on Monday.
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The wheels of justice turn slowly as the old saying goes - and often, in many jurisdictions, it can be two or more years before serious charges come to trial.
The delay is dependent on the load on the courts, in relation to cases waiting to be heard; whether there is an adequate number of judicial officers for the jurisdiction - and it is also dependent on the police gathering, collating and examining evidence, that they regard is sufficient to satisfy them, that they have a solid case to argue.
Police have to find and interview witnesses, examine relationships, follow up lines of inquiry, get exhibits tested/examined by independent third parties (gyro examination), and so on.
This is an interesting case, and the Crown will have to prove that the gyrocopter owner was deliberate in his actions that ended up with the victim being killed, to be able to prove a charge of murder.
I find it interesting that the gyrocopter owner is charged with murder, rather than manslaughter, as is often the case, because most incidents like this are usually the result of inflamed personalities clashing, and the tensions escalating, until basic unintentional death occurs.
To prove murder, it would need the police to confirm that the gyrocopter owner had intent to kill the victim, not just frighten him. It would appear, that just from the case being instigated, there must have been some very aggressive actions, on the part of the gyrocopter owner, towards the victim.
The delay is dependent on the load on the courts, in relation to cases waiting to be heard; whether there is an adequate number of judicial officers for the jurisdiction - and it is also dependent on the police gathering, collating and examining evidence, that they regard is sufficient to satisfy them, that they have a solid case to argue.
Police have to find and interview witnesses, examine relationships, follow up lines of inquiry, get exhibits tested/examined by independent third parties (gyro examination), and so on.
This is an interesting case, and the Crown will have to prove that the gyrocopter owner was deliberate in his actions that ended up with the victim being killed, to be able to prove a charge of murder.
I find it interesting that the gyrocopter owner is charged with murder, rather than manslaughter, as is often the case, because most incidents like this are usually the result of inflamed personalities clashing, and the tensions escalating, until basic unintentional death occurs.
To prove murder, it would need the police to confirm that the gyrocopter owner had intent to kill the victim, not just frighten him. It would appear, that just from the case being instigated, there must have been some very aggressive actions, on the part of the gyrocopter owner, towards the victim.
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What Onetrack says is right. Without access to the evidence it is pure speculation but I have seen many cases start with a murder charge and end with a Manslaughter conviction. I'd be surprised if this doesn't happen here (if indeed there is even an actual manslaughter conviction - probably the defence will claim it was an accident, which would not support a manslaughter conviction).
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According to that newspaper article he has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, so - assuming it is correct - the charge has already been"downgraded".
Makes sense...I can't see how they could have made a murder charge stick in the circumstances.
Makes sense...I can't see how they could have made a murder charge stick in the circumstances.
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The BBC suggests he was previously charged with manslaughter but this has now been changed to what appears to be a lesser charge:
pleaded not guilty to a new charge of the manslaughter of Trevor Morse by gross negligence.
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I'm afraid that doesn't help.
If you stand in front of a train it doesn't have anywhere else to go. A car or a taxying aircraft can turn or choose not to move.
No matter how stupid someone might be to stand in front of a whirling prop, the pilot has a choice whether or not to move, or to shut down and thump the obstruction.
The problem here is how it will be interpreted by the jurors.
If you stand in front of a train it doesn't have anywhere else to go. A car or a taxying aircraft can turn or choose not to move.
No matter how stupid someone might be to stand in front of a whirling prop, the pilot has a choice whether or not to move, or to shut down and thump the obstruction.
The problem here is how it will be interpreted by the jurors.
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See 'rotorheads'
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Not guilty. Interesting result. Even if not convicted of murder or manslaughter I would have thought there'd be an appropriate charge under the ANO. Without seeing the video (not something I have any desire to do) I guess the general public are unlikely to ever know exactly what happened.
BBC News - Gyrocopter pilot cleared over huntsman death
BBC News - Gyrocopter pilot cleared over huntsman death
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I guess the general public are unlikely to ever know exactly what happened.
No secrets here. An accident happened and a life was lost. No doubt we all have an opinion on who/why/what was to blame - but nobody commited a crime. Case closed.
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Open justice indeed, but it was reported that the video shown in court showed the pilot opening the throttle and moving towards the victim who was then struck by the propellor. If that is correct I am surprised that he was not found guilty on any charge. If the pedestrian moved towards the aircraft and stepped into the blades that would be a different story, but that is not what was reported, hence the confusion.
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Mr Griffiths told the court that, while in the air, he believed he had been shot at from the ground and feared a "gang" was on the way to attack him.
He told the court he felt "there was imminent danger" to himself as Mr Morse was speaking on a mobile phone and he feared severe injury "if others turned up".
The judge has obviously beleived that to be the case.
He told the court he felt "there was imminent danger" to himself as Mr Morse was speaking on a mobile phone and he feared severe injury "if others turned up".
The judge has obviously beleived that to be the case.
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I reckon they were both to blame.
1-Should not block aircraft.
2-Should shut down engine if in doubt of safety of others.
Case probably now closed.
Sad day for everyone,anger seems to rule,here or anywhere around the world.
1-Should not block aircraft.
2-Should shut down engine if in doubt of safety of others.
Case probably now closed.
Sad day for everyone,anger seems to rule,here or anywhere around the world.
Am I right in thinking the guy walked into the pusher prop of the gyro? If so, it would be more his actions than the pilot. As regards the pilots duty to throttle back, he appears justified in his fear of an attack. As a car driver, there are situations where I would be very reluctant to stop when an aggressive person tries to force me to.
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As a car driver, there are situations where I would be very reluctant to stop when an aggressive person tries to force me to.
Pilot of autogyro cleared of manslaughter.
''Pilot is cleared over death of huntsman hit by gyrocopter''. The Times, today; full report of the case plus other interesting info including background of the passenger, a ''convicted animal rights extremist'' who, ''had been jailed for 2 years for planning to dig up the remains of the 10th Duke of Beafort and send his head to The princess Royal.''
Strange times we live in.
Strange times we live in.
Last edited by snapper1; 18th Mar 2010 at 13:26. Reason: Comedy spelling.