Mark Harries QC and Joanne Kane secured a not guilty verdict for a young mother accused of murder following a successful half time submission on Day 11 of a 4-handed trial in Derby Crown Court. Their 24 year old defendant was jointly accused of murder with her sister and partner, following the fatal stabbing of a stranger in the early hours of February 28th this year. She was accused of arming herself with a knife and then acting in a joint enterprise with both of them during an attack on the deceased, who had assaulted them earlier than night. Much of the incident was captured on CCTV. The trial judge allowed submissions from their defendant and another in respect of the murder count they faced; the defendant’s sister remains on trial for murder. Mark and Joanne were instructed by Derek Angus and Charlotte Bradford of The Smith Partnership, Derby.
You can read more about this case in the following articles:-
BBC News - Lance Martin: Three cleared of killing man in Derby 'after doorstep row'
Derbyshire Live - Lance Martin murder trial: sensational developments see charges dropped