Lee Williams, 19, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 21 years and 74 days for the murder of 26-year-old Vernard Murray in a revenge attack in Cheetham Hill, Manchester. Two other teenagers, Riley McDermott, 18, and John Harte, 19, were also jailed for manslaughter.
Details of the attack
The incident occurred on 23 October last year at around 2.20pm. A hired silver BMW pursued a silver Ford Focus driven by Mr Murray before a dramatic collision on Hambridge Close. Williams and McDermott, wearing black clothing and balaclavas and carrying knives, leaped from the BMW and ran to opposite sides of the Ford Focus. Mr Murray managed to drive away but was chased again, leading to a second collision that flipped his car onto its roof.
Prosecutor David Temkin KC told Manchester Crown Court that Mr Murray was stabbed in the upper chest by Williams while trapped in the overturned vehicle. He fled but was chased by Williams and McDermott to an alleyway, where he sustained a second stab wound to the buttocks. After climbing a fence, he collapsed on a patio on Cardinal Street, where he sought help. He died in hospital despite emergency surgery.
Aftermath and evidence
After the attack, McDermott and Williams were seen on CCTV making a stabbing gesture and fist-bumping. Harte, who was in the BMW as a front passenger, was recorded on Ring doorbell footage calling an unidentified person and saying: "Yo, can you do that mission for me? Burn it. The car." The BMW was set ablaze less than two hours later. Williams and McDermott changed their clothes, and Williams put his in the washing machine. When arrested the next day, he lied to officers, claiming he had been at home all day.
Sentencing and victim impact
Sentencing the trio, Mr Justice Andrew Baker said: "This was a group attack, with planning and premeditation. You were all motivated by revenge." He noted that Mr Murray had a criminal record and was dealing drugs shortly before the attack but added: "That does not provide a beginning of any kind of excuse for what happened."
In victim personal statements, Mr Murray's father Patrick said: "He wasn't just my child, he was my pride, my hope for the future and a huge part of who I am. ... The silence he has left behind is unbearable." His mother Nicola Costello said: "Those responsible are given numbers to serve sentences, while I am left with a cemetery plot to visit and a lifetime of grief." His partner Tynne Connolly said: "My son and I will continue serving our own life sentence of grief."
Defence statements
John Harrison KC, representing Williams, acknowledged the force used was severe. Richard Littler KC, for McDermott, said he showed true remorse and accepted full responsibility. Stephen Moses KC, for Harte, argued there was an intent to scare and chase but not to hurt, noting Harte did not leave the car and was unarmed.
Police reaction
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Naismith from GMP's Major Incident Team said: "This was a truly shocking case, occurring in a residential area, with fatal consequences. ... No sentence can undo the loss they have experienced, but we hope today's outcome can provide them with some measure of justice and closure."
