Emma Goodall KC acts for defendant found not guilty of murder due to ‘loss of control’

Emma Goodall KC represented the defendant, YA, who was acquitted of murder after just over three hours of jury deliberations, on the basis that he had a temporary loss of control at the time of the killing. The defendant had pleaded guilty to manslaughter at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment.

The trial at Snaresbrook Crown Court lasted for four weeks and involved complex pathology, toxicology and other expert evidence. ‘Loss of control’ is a difficult partial defence to murder and required detailed legal submissions in relation to the factual scenario in which the defendant had assaulted the deceased repeatedly with a hammer.

Emma Goodall KC led Tom Wainwright of Garden Court Chambers and was instructed by Paul Harris and Oneija Taher of Edward Fail, Bradshaw & Waterson Solicitors.