Riel Karmy-Jones QC successful in Prosecution for Murder

Riel Karmy-Jones QC, leading Siobhan Linsley of CPS Wessex, has successfully prosecuted 2 teenage boys for the murder of Edward Reeve, a vulnerable man with mental health difficulties, on New Year’s Eve 2021.

The defendants cannot be named due to their ages.

Mr. Reeve had been put into contact with the first defendant on the 29th of December 2020, by another boy who said the first defendant could supply Mr. Reeve with drugs. The first defendant came to Mr. Reeve’s home with some friends that same night and smoked drugs and drank alcohol there. On leaving the property the first defendant helped himself to Mr. Reeve’s computer.

Two days later, on New Year’s Eve, the first defendant returned, bringing with him the second defendant and three female friends. While there the boys smoked drugs and drank alcohol. The defendants became aggressive and began punching holes in the walls, causing the girls to feel uncomfortable and leave.

The two defendants then produced two knives and launched an unprovoked vicious and brutal attack on Mr. Reeve, stabbing and slashing him multiple times, including to the face, hands, back and belly. Blood spatter evidence at the scene, including a bloody handprint on a garden wall behind a shed, suggests that Mr. Reeve had been pursued and had sought to hide to get away from his attackers.

After the defendants left the scene they laughed and bragged to the girls and others about what they had done.

Following a trial lasting 4 weeks before Sweeney J, the jury were unanimous in finding both defendants Guilty of Murder. Sentencing will take place on 27th September 2022.

Riel and Siobhan were instructed by Andrew Coley, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS Wessex, and worked with the Dorset Police Major Crime Investigation Team which was led by DCI Simon Huxter, and DS Sarah Gedge.

News stories:
[Advertiser and Times]
[BBC News]
[ITV News]
[Bournemouth Echo]
[Dorset Live]