Not Guilty verdicts in Old Bailey murder trial

Following a six-week trial at the Central Criminal Court, Dan Taylor, led by James Mulholland KC of 23 Essex Street, secured not guilty verdicts on behalf of their client, MA, for offences of murder, manslaughter, s18 GBH and s20 GBH.

The allegations arose from a fight outside an East London pub in the early hours of 29 November 2025, during which the deceased, GG, sustained a traumatic brain injury. He was admitted into hospital for treatment. In the days that followed, GG made a good recovery. However, on 12 December 2025, his condition suddenly deteriorated. He suffered a substantial unexplained narrowing of the main arteries to his brain, resulting in multiple catastrophic strokes. GG died on 22 December 2025.

At trial, the issues were self-defence, lack of intent and causation. The case involved the consideration of extensive CCTV footage, which recorded the entirety of the incident, and cross-examination of the prosecution CCTV officer by Dan. This explored an alternative narrative to that of the prosecution, focusing on the movements and behaviour of the deceased and his group shortly before the blows were struck.

The court also heard from eight highly experienced experts on the question of causation, comprising of one consultant neuroradiologist, three consultant neurosurgeons, two consultant neuropathologists and two forensic pathologists. There was substantial disagreement between them as to whether the traumatic brain injury had made a more than minimal contribution to the death of GG. All agreed that this was a highly unusual case, at the very edge of medical science.

Dan and James were instructed and greatly assisted at court by Stephen Garland of EBR Attridge Solicitors.

Dan has substantial experience of defending in cases of homicide and serious organised violence. He is ranked as a Leading Junior in Chambers and Partner and the Legal 500.