A Basingstoke man has been found guilty of the murder of a dad and attempted murder of his brother following a jury trial that lasted more than two weeks.
As previously reported, Kenneth Walker, 64, of Tasmania Close, Popley, was facing a trial for the murder of Craig Laurie and the attempted murder of Scott Laurie, during an incident on May 12.
The verdict was delivered at Winchester Crown Court on Tuesday, November 26, after the jury deliberated all the evidence for four hours and 10 minutes.
Jane Byrne, Walker’s girlfriend and co-defendant, has also been found guilty on two counts of perverting the course of justice.
READ MORE: Jury to begin deliberations in Popley murder trial as closing remarks completed
The jury concluded that Walker was guilty of fatally stabbing Craig Laurie and injuring Scott Laurie during an incident at his home.
The fatal stabbing occurred on May 12, when Craig and Scott Laurie went to Walker’s house in Popley.
Walker stabbed both men, leaving Craig Laurie fatally wounded. Scott Laurie managed to flee the scene, covered in blood, and survived his injuries.
After he was arrested, Walker admitted to being under the influence of alcohol and drugs and said he answered the door armed with a knife out of fear.
He said that an argument escalated, leading to the stabbings, but the prosecution, led by Sean Brunton KC, argued that his actions were deliberate and not justified by any immediate threat.
The prosecution, led by Sean Brunton KC, argued that Walker’s actions were intentional and not in self-defence, as claimed by the defence team headed by Jeremy Wainwright KC.
Byrne’s conviction relates to her actions following the incident, which the prosecution alleged were deliberate attempts to obstruct the investigation.
Her defence counsel, Alexandra Scott, argued that Byrne acted out of vulnerability, but the jury ultimately rejected that narrative.
The trial was presided over by Mrs Justice Cutts at Winchester Crown Court.
Both Walker and Byrne are scheduled to be sentenced on Tuesday, December 3.
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