Mark Oliver was acquitted of both the murder and unlawful killing of his brother Andrew in a trial which ended on 7^th August at Winchester Crown Court in which Sarah Jones QC acted for the Defendant.

The jury were told an argument had broken out between the brothers over pillowcases – each brother claiming some laundered pillowcases belonged to him. Violence flared and Andrew Oliver sustained two stab wounds and 3 slash wounds inflicted by a knife held by his brother Mark. The Defendant asserted that the injuries were caused accidentally after he had grabbed a knife to warn his brother off after being attacked and choked by his brother, briefly losing consciousness.

The case covered some interesting areas of law including the competence of their elderly mother who was the only other person in the house but who suffered from dementia. Expert evidence was called to assist the jury as to the reliability of her recollections.

For further information on the case as reported in the media please click here. For further information on Sarah’s practice please contact our clerking team via our switchboard on 01962 868161 or email: clerks@pumpcourtchambers.com