Vernard Murray, 26, was stabbed twice in Cheetham Hill on 23 October last year, moments after a dramatic car crash, as Lee Williams was jailed for life with a minimum term of 21 years
A teenage killer has been sentenced to life imprisonment, alongside two others jailed for manslaughter, following the fatal stabbing of a young father in a street ‘revenge’ attack.
Vernard Murray, 26, lost his life after being knifed twice in Cheetham Hill on October 23 last year, mere moments following a dramatic vehicle collision.
In the wake of the incident, one of the teenagers was filmed performing a ‘stabbing gesture’ before summoning an Uber. A BMW involved in the killing was subsequently set alight after another youth was heard during a phone conversation saying: “Yo, can you do that mission for me? Burn it. The car.”
Lee Williams, 19, (11/08/2006); John Harte, 19, (08/01/2007); and Riley McDermott, 18, (16/03/2008); all pleaded not guilty to murder. After a four-week trial at Manchester Crown Court, the jury unanimously found Williams guilty of murder, while Harte and McDermott were found guilty of manslaughter, reports the Manchester Evening News.
During Friday’s sentencing hearing (July 17), Williams was handed a life sentence with a minimum tariff of 21 years and 74 days. McDermott received eight years detention in a young offenders institution while Harte was given six years.
Passing sentence, Mr Justice Andrew Baker stated: “This was a group attack, with planning and premeditation. You were all motivated by revenge.”
The court was told that at approximately 2.20pm on October 23 last year, a vehicle was heard travelling at high speed before a loud impact was heard on Hambridge Close, Cheetham Hill. CCTV footage shown to the court revealed Williams and McDermott leaping from a hired silver BMW that had pursued a silver Ford Focus moments before.
As the BMW obstructed the path of the Focus, driven by Mr Murray, both accused (clad in black, wearing balaclavas and each wielding a knife) were observed rushing to opposite sides of the vehicle.
Mr Murray ‘managed to drive’ his vehicle away from Hambridge Close, but the two teenagers returned to the BMW, which then raced after him into Manswood Drive.
“There was a further collision and a dramatic one, causing the Ford Focus to flip over onto its roof,” prosecutor David Temkin KC told the court.
The court was informed that Mr Murray sustained his first stab wound to the upper chest from Williams while still trapped inside the overturned vehicle before he fled, pursued by both Williams and McDermott.
He was chased into an alleyway where he suffered a second stab wound to the buttocks. The court heard later during the trial that Williams was responsible for a second knife wound.
After successfully scaling a fence, Mr Murray collapsed on a patio behind a property on Cardinal Street, where he had hammered on the windows seeking assistance. He was transported to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery, but tragically was pronounced dead.
Both Williams and McDermott had fled the scene, returning to the BMW where Harte was said to be front passenger. The vehicle was being driven by a fourth male who has never been identified.
The BMW was abandoned on Modbury Walk before the trio fled together. The fourth individual had departed from the group earlier and evaded capture.
McDermott subsequently requested an Uber, after they were filmed on CCTV seemingly discussing the incident.
“Footage shows a clear gesture of celebration and congratulation between McDermott and Williams, who performed a fist bump,” said Mr Temkin. “Seven seconds later, Williams demonstrated his stabbing movement. It is likely he was re-enacting one of the fatal stabbings.”
They returned to Williams’ residence where Harte was recorded on Ring doorbell footage making a phone call, telling an unknown person: “Yo, can you do that mission for me? Burn it. The car.”
“This was Harte giving the green light,” the prosecutor said. Less than two hours afterwards, the BMW was torched, the court was told.
Both Williams and McDermott then switched their clothing, with Williams accepting he had put his in the washing machine.
Upon his arrest the next day, he ‘lied to officers’, stating he had ‘been in his gaff all day’.
In a victim personal statement read to the court, Mr Murray’s father Patrick Murray said: “He wasn’t just my child, he was my pride, my hope for the future and a huge part of who I am.
“He had his whole life ahead of him. He had hopes and dreams and people who loved him.
“I am left wondering how people can be so callous to attack another person with a knife. I wonder what he was thinking when he ran as fast as he could after already being stabbed. How much pain did he endure? The silence he has left behind is unbearable.
“I just think of what he has missed and the life he should have had. To the people responsible – your actions didn’t just take one life. They have destroyed mine.”
Mr Murray’s mum, Nicola Costello, said: “Those responsible are given numbers to serve sentences, while I am left with a cemetery plot to visit and a lifetime of grief. I find myself asking where the justice is in this. In many ways, it feels as though I am serving a sentence alongside them, carrying the pain and consequences of their actions every day.”
His partner, Tynne Connolly, said: “Although the court will sentence those responsible today, my son and I will continue serving our own life sentence of grief.
“We will wake up every day knowing that Vernard is never coming home. Our son will grow up with memories instead of a father, and I will spend the rest of my life trying to fill a space that can never be filled.”
For Williams, John Harrison KC said he did not dispute that the level of force used was ‘severe’. “There was a plan to inflict harm, it seems that Lee Williams went beyond that,” he said.
Richard Littler KC, for McDermott, said: “It’s quite clear Riley McDermott is maturing and understands the impact of his actions. It’s quite clear he demonstrates true remorse. He accepts full responsibility for his actions, he will forever regret what happened.”
Meanwhile, Stephen Moses KC, appearing for Harte, argued there was an ‘intent to scare and chase, but not to hurt anyone’. “He does not leave the car, and he is not armed with a knife. He is a young man of hitherto good character,” he told the court.
Mr Justice Baker remarked: “Vernard Murray was not a saint. The jury heard about his criminal record. The evidence indicates he was dealing drugs on October 23, shortly before the BMW moved in for the attack. We should not pretend that side of him did not exist.
“But that does not provide a beginning of any kind of excuse for what happened. It does not reduce the devastation his loss has brought to those who cared and loved him.
“The story you gave to the jury was you intended to scare Vernard Murray away – it’s obvious nonsense.”
Following the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Andy Naismith from GMP’s Major Incident Team commented: “Today’s sentencing reflects the devastating consequences of a shocking attack that claimed the life of Vernard Murray.
“This was a truly shocking case, occurring in a residential area, with fatal consequences. The violence inflicted upon him was horrific, and those actions have left a family grieving their loved one forever.
“No sentence can undo the loss they have experienced, but we hope today’s outcome can provide them with some measure of justice and closure.
“I would also like to thank the officers and staff whose dedication and professionalism helped us identify the offenders and piece together significant amounts of evidence to secure these convictions.
“Violence of this nature has no place in our communities. This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to pursuing those responsible for serious violent crimes and bringing them before the courts.”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login