Murder accused teen confessed to killing his uncle, police tell court
A MAN accused of murdering his uncle allegedly confessed to the killing, a court has heard.
David Ellis (18) and Dean Martin (24) confirmed they understood the single charge of murder they jointly face when they stood in the dock of Lisburn Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
Ellis and Martin, both of no fixed abode, were charged with the killing of Ellis’ uncle Cecil Robert Ellis, also known as ‘Foggy’, on December 9.
The body of the 49-year-old was discovered in his home at Clounagh Park in Portadown.
Giving evidence to the court yesterday, Detective Sergeant McIntosh said he believed he could connect both men to the killing.
Ellis’ defence solicitor Ruari Gillen told the court he was not applying for bail for his client, but solicitor Kevin McCamley, appearing for Martin, said he was on behalf of his client.
Police objected to the application.
DS McIntosh revealed that during police questioning there had been “a confession in relation to it by Mr David Ellis”, but that Martin has denied knowing the victim or being involved in any way.
Outlining what police had gleaned from their enquires so far, the officer told the court Mr Ellis’ death was not treated as a murder investigation until information emerged last Friday which “changed the whole circumstances”, adding that both men were arrested the following day.
He said police had been able to gather CCTV footage which had captured the two defendants walking towards the victim’s home and other footage which showed them walking away from the property, where Mr Ellis lived alone.
DS McIntosh revealed that Mr Ellis, who died from a single stab wound to his leg, had tried to make a 999 call at 6.19am on December 9, adding that witnesses had also come forward, which had been “greatly beneficial” to police inquiries.
He additionally told the court there was “telecommunication evidence” being examined. An item, believed to be the alleged murder weapon, has also been sent for forensic examination.
The court heard that both men had sustained injuries which police believe were sustained in a “horrendous crime”.
Turning to specific objections to Martin being freed, the detective said that given the serious nature of the offences, Martin “may face a lengthy custodial sentence so would be a risk of flight”.
Under cross-examination from Mr McCamley, it was put to the officer that “there is no forensic evidence to connect him to the scene or the victim”, but DS McIntosh said that as well as the alleged murder weapon being sent to the forensic laboratory, police were also reviewing other items seized from the victim’s home.
The lawyer submitted there was no “independent evidence that Mr Martin was complicit”, but again the officer said there was CCTV footage which captured both men “walking along the Brownstown Road”, heading in the direction of Mr Ellis’ home and, again, one minute after the victim’s failed 999 call, “a few hundred yards” away from the murder scene.
The officer agreed that Martin had denied involvement or knowing the victim, but he told Mr McCamley that as well as Ellis’s confession, “police strongly believe and have evidence which (suggests) that this man was there and was part and parcel of this horrendous crime”.
Mr McCamley submitted that Martin could be freed “with stringent conditions” such as a curfew and tagging.
However, Deputy District Judge Bonita Boyd disagreed, telling the lawyer: “It’s the court’s view that there’s strong indications and evidence of involvement in this crime.”
Refusing bail, she said that “there’s a real substantial risk” of committing further offences, as well as a risk of flight and witness interference.
Both men were remanded into custody to appear at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court via videolink on January 10.