Courts / Wicklow / Report
Nadine Lott murder trial jury must act 'clinically and dispassionately', judge charges
Summary
In the trial of Daniel Murtagh, accused of murdering former partner Nadine Lott, the jury will deliberate on whether the defendant intended to kill or merely to seriously injure her. Mr Justice Michael MacGrath instructed jurors to remain clinical and impartial, focusing solely on evidence presented. Murtagh, aged 34, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter, accepting unlawful killing but denying the specific intent required for murder. The judge explained that intoxication could reduce murder to manslaughter if it negated intent. Evidence includes severe blunt‑force trauma and stab wounds that left Lott unconscious, leading to her death three days later. The jury may return either a guilty verdict for murder or a not‑guilty‑of‑murder but guilty‑of‑manslaughter verdict, depending on their assessment of intent. The trial continues with the jury set to begin deliberations tomorrow.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Nadine Lott murder trial jury must act 'clinically and dispassionately', judge charges. Charges or matters: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his 30-year-old ex-partner Ms Lott at her apartment in St Mary's Court, Arklow, Co Wicklow on December 17, 2019; manslaughter did not alter his presumption of innocence, which he enjoyed in respect of the charge of murder. "The burden lies on the prosecution to prove every element of the offence," he added; murder but guilty to manslaughter, which meant that Mr Murtagh accepted that he had killed Ms Lott by his acts and that the killing was unlawful. Procedural stage: trial
When:
- December 17, 2019 Incident
- December 14 Incident
- 2021-08-03 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his 30-year-old ex-partner Ms Lott at her apartment in St Mary's Court, Arklow, Co Wicklow on December 17, 2019; manslaughter did not alter his presumption of innocence, which he enjoyed in respect of the charge of murder. "The burden lies on the prosecution to prove every element of the offence," he added; murder but guilty to manslaughter, which meant that Mr Murtagh accepted that he had killed Ms Lott by his acts and that the killing was unlawful (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Accused
Charges: murder but guilty to the manslaughter of his 30-year-old ex-partner Ms Lott at her apartment in St Mary's Court, Arklow, Co Wicklow on December 17, 2019; manslaughter did not alter his presumption of innocence, which he enjoyed in respect of the charge of murder. "The burden lies on the prosecution to prove every element of the offence," he added; murder but guilty to manslaughter, which meant that Mr Murtagh accepted that he had killed Ms Lott by his acts and that the killing was unlawful (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Places mentioned
Topics
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