Robert Ward, led by David Etherington KC (Red Lion Chambers), acted on behalf of a defendant charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of a 16 year old boy in a park in Chelmsford. The defendant was 18 at the time of the incident. The case involved cross-examination of child witnesses under the Section 28 procedure and complex legal issues in relation to alleged confessions made to prison staff. After a 3 week trial in front of Mr Justice Sweeting, the defendant was acquitted of murder and of a charge alleging possession of a knife. He was convicted of manslaughter.
The matter was reported in the local and national press:
Man, 20, found guilty of manslaughter of 16-year-old boy stabbed in neck | The Independent
Elijah Clark guilty of killing Andy Wood by manslaughter in Essex – BBC News
Robert was instructed by Waterfords Solicitors.
