Girl Murdered Because 'She was dressed like a goth'

Hammer · 12th March 2008, 2:17pm

Quote:

A 15-year-old boy kicked and stamped to death a woman because she was dressed as a Goth, a court heard.
The drunk teenager was among a gang of five who "savagely and mercilessly" attacked Sophie Lancaster, 20, and her boyfriend, Preston Crown Court heard.

Ms Lancaster was begging the gang to stop beating Robert Maltby, 21, when they turned on her in Stubbylee Park in Bacup, Lancashire, the jury was told.

The 15-year-old, who cannot be named because of his age, denies murder.

Ms Lancaster's facial injuries were so severe, paramedics did not know what sex she was.

She died two weeks after the attack in hospital.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/l...re/7291985.stm

Fuck sake, that is actually horrific. God knows how the guy can deny murder when she was that badly beaten.

MarkMono · 12th March 2008, 2:20pm

Horrifying, but not surprising.

The Continental · 12th March 2008, 2:21pm

It sounds more like the guy was getting attacked due to his appearance and the attention turned to her due to her intervention.

dalamarthedark · 12th March 2008, 2:23pm

My brother knew that lassy. His band played at a memorial gig for her.

Terrible.

StuntGirl · 12th March 2008, 2:24pm

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Fuck sake, that is actually horrific. God knows how the guy can deny murder when she was that badly beaten.

He could be arguing diminished responsibility so he gets done with manslaughter instead. In fact, thats most likely.

Also, I dont know if it's the same in England, but in Scotland you cant plead guilty to murder, so it could be along the same lines?

But yeah, as mark said, not surprising but still horrible.

**GreatKingRat** · 12th March 2008, 2:39pm

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Originally Posted by StuntGirl

Also, I dont know if it's the same in England, but in Scotland you cant plead guilty to murder, so it could be along the same lines?

If you read the article it says another boy [in the group of 5] has already pleaded guilty to the murder.

Sounds like he's well skerd.

*LesMTS* · 12th March 2008, 2:42pm

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Originally Posted by StuntGirl

He could be arguing diminished responsibility so he gets done with manslaughter instead. In fact, thats most likely.

It will be whatever they call culpable homicide in England. Voluntary manslaughter?
There has to be intent for a murder conviction, I think.

Rev Scapegoat · 12th March 2008, 2:42pm

The little cunt should be named, shamed, and put the fuck away for a very long time.
No excuse for that shit. None at all.

Of course, it's actually his local council that are at fault for not providing him with any non-goth-killing activities to partake in...

Baron Samedi · 12th March 2008, 2:46pm

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Originally Posted by StuntGirl

in Scotland you cant plead guilty to murder

Eh? Is this true? I know very little of legal matters, just surprised if this is the case.

MarkMono · 12th March 2008, 2:47pm

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Originally Posted by Rev Scapegoat

Of course, it's actually his local council that are at fault for not providing him with any non-goth-killing activities to partake in...

Bit of respect wouldn't go amiss.

StuntGirl · 12th March 2008, 2:49pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by LesMTS

It will be whatever they call culpable homicide in England. Voluntary manslaughter?
There has to be intent for a murder conviction, I think.

I dont think they would argue Voluntary Manslaughter if there wasnt intent. Arguably though, he could say that he didn't intend to kill the girl and that would be a basis for involuntary manslaughter, i think. There's arguably a case for dimished criminal liability here, if he can argue that he didn't know he was taking part in a murderous assault. This was shown in a similar case recently, although this was in Scotland. However, if there isn't suffcient mens rea then there cannot be a murder conviction

Charlicat · 12th March 2008, 2:50pm

I've seen their pics on here before, that just because they would have been published at the time of the attack and someone posted it, I guess.

Stem · 12th March 2008, 2:51pm

That's the second murder in Lancashire in as many weeks. Glad I don't live there anymore. Bacup as well, that's such a quiet place usually. Shame.

*LesMTS* · 12th March 2008, 2:52pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuntGirl

I dont think they would argue Voluntary Manslaughter if there wasnt intent. Arguably though, he could say that he didn't intend to kill the girl and that would be a basis for involuntary manslaughter, i think. There's arguably a case for dimished criminal liability here, if he can argue that he didn't know he was taking part in a murderous assault. This was shown in a similar case recently, although this was in Scotland. However, if there isn't suffcient mens rea then there cannot be a murder conviction

Yeah, I got involuntary and voluntary manslaughter wrong. I thought voluntary manslaughter was killing someone while doing something else illegal but without the intent to kill (e.g. kicking someone's head in), and that involuntary was something like causing death by negligence.

StuntGirl · 12th March 2008, 2:52pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baron Samedi

Eh? Is this true? I know very little of legal matters, just surprised if this is the case.

I'm pretty sure. It's because murder carries a mandatory life sentence in Scotland, therefore the reasoning is you have to recieve the fairest trial to the fullest extent of the law. You can stand there and say "I did it", but you cannot plead guilty as a means to a plea bargain or whatever. Even if you say "I did it", it would be looked at as pleading guilty to culpable homicide, not murder.