Villa star ‘not in his right mind’
DALIAN Atkinson’s father told police his ex-footballer son was not in his right mind when officers shot him with a Taser, a murder trial has heard.
Ernest Atkinson, 85, gave a statement a week after his son died in August 2016, jurors at Birmingham Crown Court were told.
Mr Atkinson, who has since died, said Dalian, 48, grabbed him by the throat after “pounding” on the door of his home in Telford, Shrops, in the early hours.
The prosecution claims PC Benjamin Monk, 42, murdered the ex-Aston Villa star by kicking him in the head intending serious harm.
Movement
His colleague PC Mary Ellen Bettley-Smith, 31, is alleged to have struck him with a baton out of anger. Both officers deny the charges.
Ernest’s statement was summarised yesterday by junior prosecution counsel Paul Jarvis: “He was in bed when he heard some movement. He saw his son Dalian standing outside.”
The former Sheffield Wednesday and Ipswich player was banging on the door.
Mr Jarvis said Dalian asked why the family were trying to kill him, then said: “I have come to kill you.”
Ernest heard police arrive and saw Dalian with his hands out, saying: ‘You are going to Taser me. I’m the messiah, you cannot hurt me’.”
Mr Atkinson heard the door glass smash and went to the back of his house before two officers told him “Dalian was fine and that he was in an ambulance”.
Mr Jarvis added: “A short time later a police officer came into Ernest’s kitchen to tell him his son had died. In his view, his son had not been in his right mind.”
The trial continues.