Courts / Roscommon / Report
Jury finds Stephen Silver guilty of capital murder after two trials
Summary
A jury at the Central Criminal Court has found Stephen Silver guilty of capital murder following a retrial. Silver, aged 46, a mechanic from Aughaward, Foxford, County Mayo, was convicted of fatally shooting Garda Colm Horkan with the officer's own firearm on 17 June 2020 near Castlerea, County Roscommon. The jury of seven men and five women reached their unanimous verdict after deliberating for eight hours and 39 minutes. A previous jury had been unable to reach agreement in November 2022. Silver had pleaded not guilty to capital murder but guilty to manslaughter. The trial centred on his state of mind at the time of the shooting, with defence evidence suggesting mental illness contributed to his actions, whilst prosecution submissions maintained he acted with intent to kill. Ms Justice Tara Burns will impose sentence on 19 April. Conviction for capital murder carries a mandatory minimum 40-year prison sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jury finds Stephen Silver guilty of capital murder after two trials. Charges or matters: the murder of Det Garda Horkan knowing or being reckless as to whether he was a member of An Garda Siochana acting in accordance with his duty; manslaughter at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on 17 June 2020, and the jury were told the main issue in the trial was Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the shooting. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- June 17, 2020 Other
- April 19 Other
- 17 June 2020 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2023-03-15 Publication
Why: Before the jury began their deliberations on Monday, Ms Justice Burns told them that the possible verdicts they could consider related to capital murder, murder simpliciter, or manslaughter either because of diminished responsibility or self-defence. Defence account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: the murder of Det Garda Horkan knowing or being reckless as to whether he was a member of An Garda Siochana acting in accordance with his duty; manslaughter at Castlerea, Co Roscommon on 17 June 2020, and the jury were told the main issue in the trial was Mr Silver's state of mind at the time of the shooting (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Silver, who made no reaction to the verdict, now faces a minimum sentence of 40 years in prison having been convicted of capital murder. Silver will now be sentenced on April 19.
Places mentioned
- Central Criminal Court
- Central Mental Hospital
Topics
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