A teenager has been found guilty of murdering a father-of-two in Nottingham in Christmas Day. After nearly 12 hours of deliberation, a jury convicted Kersharn Dockeray-Barnett by a majority of 11 to one of the unlawful murder of Reece Connor, who died from a single stab wound inflicted by the defendant on the city’s Crown Island.
As the guilty verdict was read by the foreman, there were gasps from a family member of the 18-year-old, followed by a woman who left the courtroom in tears.
Adjourning sentencing until September 6, Judge Nirmal Shant KC, Honorary Recorder of Nottingham, remanded Dockeray-Barnett, who was 17 at the time of the murder, to custody. She said: “As you know, this is a serious charge and I am simply ordering a[pre-sentence]report to find out more about you. This will not change the type of sentence you receive, but the length.
“You and I will meet again on September 6th.” The defendant replied, “Thank you, Your Honor.”
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On Friday, July 19, they cleared the defendant’s adoptive cousin, Morgan Keaton-Adlam, 24, of any involvement in the tragic stabbing. Mr Connor, 29, suffered a fatal stab wound inflicted by the teenage defendant in Wollaton Road on December 25 last year. The knife, which Dockeray-Barnett told his trial the victim brought to the scene and not him, pierced the main artery to the heart.
When giving testimony, he admitted to having used the weapon, but stated that he “had no other option” as he feared being killed.
The teenager said Mr Connor dropped the blade he had picked up and used “in fear for his life” that it would be used on him by the victim, who he said repeatedly told him “I’m going to kill you”.
During the trial at Nottingham Crown CourtProsecutor John Lloyd-Jones KC said an ambulance crew arrived eight minutes after a 999 call was made following the stabbing, but Mr Connor was sadly pronounced dead about an hour later at Queen’s Medical Centre.
Mr Lloyd-Jones said: “We say that whatever dispute provoked this incident, there was never any need to stab Reece Connor. We say his death was completely unnecessary.”
Giving evidence, Dockeray-Barnett, of Marchwood Close, Nottingham, said that before the stabbing he was in an underpass near the Crown pub and encountered Mr Connor, who he said assaulted him. He said he then called his adoptive cousin, of Southwold Drive, who arrived and the pair found the victim nearby.
During the trial, Dockeray-Barnett said: “Keaton punched him, I think it was in the head area and they started fighting with each other. Mr Connor was laughing in a psychotic way and I was still quite scared.
“At that moment, Keaton threw him against a fence, Mr. Connor was still laughing and pulled out a knife. I thought he was going to kill me or Keaton.
“He was screaming that he was going to kill me, I was afraid he had picked up a knife and was going to stab me and at that moment he dropped it and tried to punch me to get the knife.”
Defence counsel Peter Moulson KC said: “How did you get the knife?” Dockeray-Barnett replied: “As it fell I dove for it and I was thinking ‘if he gets it he’ll kill me’ and I stabbed him once.”
Mr Moulson asked: “Why didn’t you turn and run?” The defendant replied: “My fear was that if I turned and ran, he would run after me and try to stab me.”
The lawyer said, “Under the circumstances, do you feel you had any other options?” He replied, “At that point, I felt I had no other options.”
Mr Moulson asked: “How did you feel about it?” Dockeray-Barnett replied: “I felt horrible. I had taken someone’s life, I didn’t want to do it in the first place.”
Detective Inspector Clare Gibson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Christmas Day will never be the same again for any of Reece’s family and friends. This senseless act of violence resulted in the death of a much-loved father, partner, son and friend.
“Following the attack on Reece, Dockeray-Barnett made no attempt to provide first aid or call an ambulance, and was only concerned with leaving the scene and disposing of vital evidence.
“I am pleased that the jury has reached this verdict and hope that this outcome will help Reece’s family come to terms with their terrible loss.”
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