Courts / Meath / Report

'Chihuahua' murderer launches bid to overturn conviction

Date
2023-11-29

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Navan

County
Meath

Summary

In 2017, Josh Turner, aged 31, was convicted of murdering Christopher Nevin in Navan after a dispute over a chihuahua. Turner was sentenced to life imprisonment. He now seeks to overturn his conviction on appeal, arguing that the trial judge erred in how he directed the jury on the defence of provocation and self‑defence. Turner's counsel contended that the judge incorrectly suggested the onus of proving provocation lay with the defence and failed to allow the jury to consider provocation in the context of violence against a third party. The State's counsel replied that the judge's charge was clear and that the jury had rejected provocation based on the facts. The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment on the appeal. The case remains at the appeal stage. Josh Turner pleaded not guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Chihuahua' murderer launches bid to overturn conviction. Charges or matters: the murder of Christopher Nevin at Tailteann Road, Navan, Co Meath, on November 19, 2015. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

November 19, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
February 27, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
2023-11-29 Publication

Case subjects

Josh Turner

Convicted Person

Charges: the murder of Christopher Nevin at Tailteann Road, Navan, Co Meath, on November 19, 2015 (Proven)

Plea: Not guilty

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; Turner was sentenced to life imprisonment by Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy at the Central Criminal Court on February 27, 2017. His co-accused, Wayne Cluskey, who was then 25, and also of Mooretown Road, was found not guilty of the murder of Mr Nevin but guilty of his manslaughter and sentenced to nine years' imprisonment.