Chester murder trial: Victim could have struggled on after fatal wound

Jul 15 2010 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

Fynn Western-Davey

A HOME Office pathologist claimed drugs dealer Fynn Western-Davey could have survived for ‘a minute or two’ after he was stabbed in the heart.

Dr Richard Shepherd carried out a post mortem examination on 23-year-old Mr Western-Davey at the Royal Liverpool Hospital.

He found a 14cm deep wound to the heart consistent with being struck by the 18.5cm blade of the kitchen knife suspected to have been used on him at the Balmoral Park home of defendants Jason Howells and Nicola Bishop, who both deny murder.

Dr Shepherd said: “It’s not unreasonable, I think, to say that it’s likely that Mr Western-Davey survived for a minute or two following the receipt of the injury – it may have been longer than that.”

Previously the prosecution has alleged that when neighbour Adrian Gardner saw what is believed to be Howells and Western-Davey grappling with each other next door, the victim had already been stabbed. So it was alleged the plea he heard from Bishop at the same time to ‘stop it, Jason!’ came too late.

Dr Shepherd based his assessment that Mr Western-Davey had lived for a short time on the presence of three litres of blood found in his chest cavity.

And Dr Shepherd confirmed Mr Western-Davey could have remained active due to the effects of adrenalin.

Asked by prosecutor Mr Chambers if he could have remained on his feet and grappling, the pathologist replied: “Indeed, I have known cases where people have received injuries such as this and have continued to fight and struggle for a considerable period of time.”

However, under cross examination by Guy Gozem, for Howells, he accepted the victim may only have lasted 20 or 30 seconds. “I couldn’t say that didn’t happen,” said Dr Shepherd.

And Dr Shepherd, questioned by Andrew Thomas QC, for Bishop, confirmed there was nothing pathologically to indicate whether the grappling took place before or after the victim was struck with the knife.

Dr Shepherd said the victim was also found with a 4cm cut on the palm of his left hand, a bruise to his left shin and another chest wound which is now known to have been caused by medics attempting to save his life.

The trial continues