Jurors set to return verdict in ‘love rivals’ murder trial
PAIR ACCUSED OF ‘UNSPARING AND FEROCIOUS ATTACK’ ON 39-YEAR-OLD
JURORS are expected to return a verdict today in the trial of a man accused of murdering a love rival.
William Doleman, 27, is on trial with his friend 26-year-old Ademola Efunnuga.
The pair both deny murdering 39-year-old Alan Murphy in Moston.
Manchester Crown Court has heard Mr Murphy and Mr Doleman were both ‘rivals for the affection’ of 43-year-old Lisa Hough.
Ms Hough is also on trial accused of assisting an offender by trying to help them ‘cover their tracks.’ She denies the alleged offence.
Jurors were told that Mr Murphy and Mr Doleman exchanged threats in the early hours of February 18, and arranged to meet for a fight. Earlier Mr Murphy had seen Ms Hough with Mr Doleman’s dog, a discovery which was ‘not well received.’ Mr Murphy died hours after an incident in the street near his home. Prosecutors allege Mr Doleman and Mr Efunnuga, who had travelled to Moston from the city centre, launched an ‘unsparing and ferocious attack.’
All three men were armed, prosecutors allege. Mr Murphy suffered stab wounds.
One caused rapid blood loss and proved fatal. CCTV showed Ms Hough was also present nearby to ‘watch’ the incident.
Mr Doleman and Mr Efunnuga both fled. Mr Efunnuga returned to the city centre and disposed of blood stained clothes, jurors have heard.
Ms Hough gave him a fresh pair of trousers. She was also said to have wiped blood from the walls of her home, and accompanied Mr Doleman to Tesco to buy a new phone.
During the trial, Mr Doleman admitted he ‘lashed out a couple of times’ at Mr Murphy with a pair of scissors.
“It didn’t seem to me that it was that serious,” he said.
“I just assumed he was doing the same thing, he probably didn’t want to get into trouble as well. I had no idea he was so injured. I just assumed he was okay.”
Mr Efunnuga denied being armed with a weapon.
“I swear on my daughter’s life I didn’t stab Mr Murphy, I had no reason to,” he said. “I didn’t know Mr Murphy. Mr Murphy had never done anything wrong to me.”
He said he went to Moston because he believed Mr Doleman and Ms Hough were having an argument, and he wanted to help his friend.
Mr Efunnuga said he was acting as peacemaker and was trying to ‘prize’ Mr Murphy and Mr Doleman apart.
Ms Hough did not give evidence. Mr Doleman, of Rossington Street, Newton Heath, and Mr Efunnuga, of Oak Bank Avenue, Moston, both deny murder, while Ms Hough, of Blandford Drive, Moston, denies assisting an offender.
I swear on my daughter’s life I didn’t stab Mr Murphy, I had no reason to William Doleman