The prosecution had branded Shaye Groves obsessed with serial killers, having stabbed her boyfriend whilst asleep more than 19 times in the heart and chest area. At trial the jury heard evidence about a collection of knives and weapons kept in the bedroom, as well as a confession by Ms Groves to her best friend. The attach had been planned on CCTV footage, and after the killing Ms Groves had cleared up the scene and created a false alibi.
At trial before Mr Justice Kerr, the defence had relied upon the abusive nature of the relationship, non-consensual sexual activity, the victim’s increasingly dangerous signs of jealousy and previous domestic violence. The defences of self-defence, loss of control and diminished responsibility were advanced before the jury. The court accepted that this had been “a crime of passion” in circumstances where Shaye Groves had “loved the man you killed, and you killed the man you loved.”
Michael led Hugh French (Red Lion Chambers), and was instructed by Kate Watts (Partner – Wannops Solicitors, Portsmouth).
The case which had lasted 5 weeks, attracted much media interest nationally and abroad.
Media references:
https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/news/crime/leigh-park-murder-trial-shaye-groves-admits-losing-control-and-changing-her-story-about-stabbing-frankie-fitzgerald-4012366 https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11706951/Mother-tells-murder-trial-hit-lover-neck-dagger-mistake.html https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-64465832 https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/charles-bronson-winchester-crown-court-hampshire-police-hampshire-havant-b1052914.html