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Trial begins over death of British woman outside Camposol home
Prosecutors allege Michael John C. murdered his partner Vanessa Elisabeth in 2022 and are seeking a 25-year prison sentence
A jury trial has begun in Murcia over the death of a British woman outside her home in Camposol, near Mazarrón, in December 2022.Michael John C., 73, is accused of murdering his partner, Vanessa Elisabeth, 57. Prosecutors are seeking a 25-year prison sentence, alleging that he beat her to death after the couple returned home from drinking in local pubs.
He denies murder. His defence says Vanessa died in an accident and is seeking an acquittal or, at most, a manslaughter conviction with mitigating circumstances.
Prosecutors allege that the couple argued after arriving home. They say Michael John C. struck Vanessa violently in the face and body, causing her to fall outside the house and in front of their car.
They allege that he then kicked her repeatedly, jumped on her, immobilised her and covered her mouth, compressing her chest until she died. The prosecution is seeking a conviction for murder with treachery and cruelty, within the context of gender-based violence.
Vanessa suffered a head injury and numerous other injuries. An autopsy found cracks in her sternum and ribs, as well as broken ankles.
Michael John C.’s lawyers say the couple arrived home by car and that Vanessa got out to open the door and restrain their dogs.
They say the street was dark and that he may have been reversing when he knocked her over. Because he was intoxicated, they say, he cannot remember the exact sequence of events.
“When he didn’t see Vanessa return, he got out of the car and found her lying on the ground, just inches from the car, her head near the curb, motionless,” his defence says. “He approached her and said, ‘Hello, hello, wake up.’ She didn’t react, and he saw that she was bleeding.”
The defence argues there was no intent to kill and no conduct aimed at causing her death. It also cites his intoxication and Buerger’s disease, a circulatory condition, as potential mitigating factors.
Vanessa had reported domestic violence five times between 2007 and 2014. Her case had been inactive in Spain’s VioGén system since 2015, and no restraining or protection order was in force when she died.
Government Delegate against Gender Violence Victoria Rosell said: “We have to admit that on occasions the system fails.”
The trial is being heard over six sessions at Murcia Provincial Court. It began on Friday October 23, with further evidence and questioning due from Monday. Michael John C. is expected to give evidence on Friday October 30.
Image: Guardia Civil
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