On 24th November 2023, after a 5 week trial in which 4 defendants were accused of murder, the jury returned a unanimous verdict of Not Guilty in relation to Gary Harris, represented by Peter Moulson KC and Charlotte Baines.
The three other Defendants were all found Guilty of murder.
The deceased was subjected to a brutal and sustained attack on the 11th floor of a block of flats on Bathurst Street, Hull. He died in the early hours of 12th March 2023.
Gary Harris admitted punching the deceased once but had only done so because he was threatened with violence by another Defendant.
The defence put forward at trial was that he did not intend to cause the deceased really serious harm and in terms of the jury’s consideration of manslaughter, he had punched the deceased whilst acting under duress.
Charlotte was instructed by Matthew Coggin at Williamsons Solicitors, Hull and led by Peter Moulson KC from Park Square Barristers, Leeds.