THREE people have pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Tristram Wallace.
The trial of four people accused of murdering the Stratford resident in the town centre started at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday (April 6).
Mr Wallace died in the late afternoon of June 22 after being involved in an incident near the junction of Arden Street and Birmingham Road.
Neil Potter, 37, of Clopton Road, Donna Windsor, 39, of Betjeman Road, Toney Jelf, 39, and Peter Mallon, 42, both of no fixed abode, were charged with murdering the 36-year-old.
Jelf, Mallon and Windsor have pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Potter pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.
Below is a summary of the opening day’s events:
16.24 – Opening argument finished and courts ends for the day
16.13 – Blood spatters matching to Tristram Wallace’s DNA found on clothing of Peter Mallon and Neil Potter says prosecution
15.52 – Autopsy showed some 50 bruises to Tristram Wallace’s head, arms and legs
15.37 – Whole incident lasted around ten minutes say prosecution
15.21 – Prosecution says no weapons used by either defendants or Tristram Wallace
15.06 – Jury shown CCTV footage of defendants in town on day of Tristram Wallace’s murder
14.51 – Prosecution alleges Tristram Wallace sustained two separate attacks
14.46 – Jury shown a map of where incident took place
14.31 – Witnesses described all four defendants as appearing to be “under the influence of something”
14.21 – Prosecution claims Neil Potter is described by witnesses as being “the main attacker” while Toney Jelf was “the most aggressive”
14.10 – Jury told by prosecution how the group landed up to 30 punches, kicks, and stamps before looting Tristram Wallace’s body as he lay dying
14.05 – Proceedings underway for the afternoon as jury comes back in
13.50 – James Curtis for the prosecution says the motive behind the attack was what “the defendants perceived to be a drugs deal that had gone wrong”
13.45 – Prosecution alleges in opening statement that Tristram Wallace’s death was a “punishment beating fuelled by drink and or drugs”
13.00 – Court break for lunch
12.58 – James Curtis for the prosecution describes Tristram Wallace’s appearance
12.42 – Members of the jury shown pictures of Tristram Wallace’s injuries
12.20 – Opening statement by prosecution claims all four defendants were responsible for the death of Tristram Wallace
12.08 – Jury brought back into court
11.30 – Jury sent out for 30 minutes to reconfirm eligibility to serve
11.20 – Jury sworn in. Eight men and four women make up the jury with two reserves.
11.04 – Process of jury selection begins. Panel of 29 would be jury members to be narrowed down to 14.
10.57 – Toney Jelf, Peter Mallon and Donna Windsor plead guilty to the manslaughter of Tristram Wallace. Neil Potter pleads not guilty.
10.50 – Proceedings get under way at Birmingham Crown Court under the guidance of the Hon Mr Justice Holroyde.
